Alzheimer’s is a ‘foreign’ word
Indigenous Australians now have a longer life-expectancy, which means educating people about dementia will become “more and more prevalent”, Remote Aboriginal Media Corporation spokesman, Ian Watson, said.
Mr Watson, who spoke at the Alzheimer’s Australia’s national conference held in Brisbane this week, said more work needs to be done to raise awareness about dementia in Indigenous communities.
He said ‘Alzheimer’s’ is a foreign word in Indigenous groups, with a lack of information and understanding on the disease.
When contacted by DPS Publishing, Mr Watson said “dementia is a growing problem” and that there is a desperate need to educate Indigenous groups on the issue.
However, he said it was “wonderful” that the life-expectancy of Indigenous Australians was increasing.
Mr Watson has already taken steps to inform and educate Indigenous groups via community radio “in languages and words that they would understand”.
“For the past three months we have had a series of broadcasts on local and indigenous radio stations. We’ve adapted ten short radio segments about Alzheimer’s in local language that these groups would understand,” Mr Watson said.
He said the future will include another three months of radio segments talking about dementia.
This week, the Alzheimer’s Australia national conference has heard calls for an increase in federal funding for dementia services.
The four-day conference, which commenced on Tuesday, ends today.
