Welcome boost for younger onset dementia care

Last week, Alzheimer’s Australia New South Wales (NSW) welcomed a $250,000 NSW government grant for a two-year research project on younger onset dementia.
 
NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, made the announcement during the official opening of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW’s Gibson-Denney Centre at North Ryde.
 
“This NSW government funded research project will address the different types of support people with younger onset dementia need to maintain their quality of life,” Premier Keneally said.
 
“People with younger onset dementia require different support measures to people who are diagnosed over the age of 65 and this study will look at the how we can address the needs of those people.”
 
The project will identify the barriers to timely diagnosis and access to appropriate services, as well as identify appropriate models for early intervention.

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW chief executive, John Watkins, said “We warmly welcome this grant as it gives us an opportunity to focus on the special needs of those with younger onset dementia.
 
“Many are still pursuing their careers and are paying mortgages, while others may still be raising children, caring for grandchildren, or pursuing lifelong dreams to travel and enjoy their retirement.”
 
“A diagnosis of dementia at this stage in their life can be an unexpected and devastating shock,” Mr Watkins said.
 
“As well, many of the services available for those with dementia have been designed to accommodate people over the age of 65 and are not at all suitable for younger people.”
 
At just 51, Stephen Jones was diagnosed with younger onset dementia, estimated to affect 15,000 Australians.

His wife, Rosemary, said the lack of appropriate respite services meant she could no longer carry on in her part-time job as she had to be available to care for him around the clock.
 
“There is nothing around for this age to go to,” Mrs Jones said.
 
“When he did go to a respite centre, all the other people there were in their 80s. It’s like putting a person in their 20s in a room with someone in their 50s – it was completely inappropriate and Stephen hated it.”
 
Mrs Jones said she welcomed the focus on the special needs of people with younger onset dementia.
 
“This new centre is a significant step forward in the ability of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW to help tackle the dementia epidemic that is coming our way,” Mr Watkins said.
 
“Because of the ageing population, dementia is a growing concern for the entire community, with predictions is it going to hit 341,000 people in NSW by 2050.
 
“That means 341,000 families – husbands, wives, sons, daughters and friends – will be caring for a loved one with dementia who will also need support and care and we need to be able to be there to help provide that for those living with the illness and for those caring for them.”
 
On the same day, the Premier also officially opened new offices of Parkinson’s NSW, which is in the same building.