Accessing free dementia information just got easier for Queenslanders of all ages

Key points:

• Queenslanders can access Dementia Australia’s free information sessions in November to improve their understanding of dementia and how to make their communities more inclusive
• Dementia Australia has recently released two free interactive apps that Australians can access to learn about dementia 
• Less tech-savvy Australians may prefer accessing the Aged Care Guide which has easy-to-understand information about dementia and how it could affect loved ones

Dementia Australia has recently launched in-person information sessions to help Queenslanders better recognise symptoms of dementia and how to help others in their communities.

Approximately 411,000 Australians live with dementia, with more women affected than men as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. That number is expected to reach 849,300 Australians by 2058.

This November, Dementia Australia is hosting multiple BrainHub sessions on various topics across the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions including:

• Understanding Dementia on November 18, 2024 in Mackay and November 21, 2024 in Proserpine;
• Understanding Changes in Behaviour on November 19, 2024 in Mackay; and
• Worried About Your Memory? on November 19 in Mackay and November 21 in Proserpine.

Other BrainHub sessions will be held in Ulverstone, Tasmania, on December 3, 2024, and Bridgetown and Nannup in Western Australia from November 6 to 8, 2024. BrainHub sessions were also recently held in Armidale, New South Wales.

Although the sessions are free, bookings are essential. Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit the Dementia Australia website to register and see the complete list of upcoming sessions available in your area.

To make people with dementia feel more comfortable in their communities, Dementia Australia suggests that Australians learn about the impact of dementia by listening to real stories and participating in dementia-friendly community groups. Although some groups are only for carers or people with dementia, other groups also encourage the general public to join and learn more about living with dementia. 

While symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the cause and type, cognitive and psychological changes are common. Some cognitive changes may include memory loss, confusion or difficulties with communication. Agitation, depression or inappropriate behaviour may indicate psychological changes as a result of dementia.

Suppose you can’t make it to the BrainHub information sessions. In that case, you can still access Dementia Australia’s free app called The Dementia-friendly Home, which is available from the App Store and Google Play. 

Using the interactive features of this app, you can ‘explore’ the house of a person with dementia and learn about possible hazards and how to improve safety in the home. One suggestion for the kitchen is to consider installing safety devices such as motion sensors and removing dangerous kitchen appliances to ensure the safety of the person with dementia. 

Additionally, the interactive process helps educate users about improving the quality of life for people with dementia. For example, having photographs of loved ones in the living space can help remind people of memories and good times in their lives. 

Dementia Australia’s other app Ask Annie allows users to progress through short, self-paced lessons to improve their understanding of dementia with practical strategies. 

Leading the world in dementia research is the University of Tasmania’s Wicking Dementia Centre, which provides world-class dementia training to people in aged care and the general public while also supporting those who live with dementia. Free online courses are available for people with dementia, their carers and their families to assist them in understanding dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and up to 70 percent of people with dementia have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. 

However, if you aren’t tech-savvy, plenty of other resources are available to learn about dementia care. 

The Aged Care Guide helps Australians develop their understanding of dementia through guides such as What is dementia?, Accessing the right dementia support and Dementia behaviour changes and challenges. 

Printed copies of the Aged Care Guide are also available to order online for free and you will only need to pay for shipping.

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the 24/7 National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au.

What else would you like to learn about caring for a loved one with dementia?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

For more information and news in the aged care industry, subscribe to our free newsletter. 

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