Happy New Year to all readers of HOPEAlzheimerrsquos Australiarsquos newsletter for youngerpeople with dementia their care partners andfamily friends health professionals care staffand everybody with an interest in younger onsetdementia

Did you know that the acronym for HOPE isHelping Other Possibilities Emerge AlzheimerrsquosAustralia is here to provide the help you needwhen you need it The National Younger OnsetDementia Key Worker Program providesindividualised information and support toimprove the quality of life for people withyounger onset dementia The best way toaccess the Younger Onset Dementia KeyWorker Program is to call the National DementiaHelpline on 1800 100 500

Our Feature Article this month highlights thesuccess of the Consumer Summit held atParliament House in Canberra earlier this monthand outlines the vision for Alzheimers Australiarsquosconsumer engagement for the future

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of HOPEparticularly the article by Jo Middleton theYounger Onset Dementia Key Worker fromVictoria who shares her experiences of being akey worker

Irene Dummett

IN THIS ISSUEFROM THE CEO

FEATURE ARTICLE

Supporting peoplewith dementia andtheir familiestheconsumerperspective -March Summit

OUR STORIES

Younger OnsetDementia KeyWorker Program -Victoria

MAKING LIFEEASIER

Help SheetsRecommendedreadingNational HealthServicesDirectoryContact Numbers

RESEARCHPROJECTS ampBREAKTHROUGHS IN THE MEDIA WHATS ON

Program OfficerAlzheimers Australia

FROM THE CEO

Alzheimers Australias newCEO Carol Bennett

I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself having commenced my role as CEOin December last year Irsquom pleased to join such an eminent and reputable organisation asAlzheimerrsquos Australia

Like Graeme and Ita my family has also been touched by dementia My mother hasbeen diagnosed with dementia which has provided me some personal insights into waysthat we can support people with dementia their families and carers Of courseeveryonersquos story is different and there is so much that we can and should do

Through my caring experience and my past role as CEO of the Consumers HealthForum I understand the importance of not only engaging the health care system inproviding better quality care but also of raising our communityrsquos awareness of dementiaparticularly younger onset dementia We must accept that the way someone experiencesdementia is partly determined by the way the community around them responds ndash fromemployers and shop keepers and banks and other businesses right through to familiesand friends

I believe we all have a responsibility to support the people living with dementia in ourcommunities and their families and carers If we create dementia-friendly communitieswe can completely change the experiences of dementia for millions of people

I am pleased to carry on the work that Alzheimerrsquos Australia has already begun toimprove services and supports not only for people with dementia but also people withyounger onset dementia Irsquove hit the ground running focusing on the currentGovernmentrsquos intention to streamline services ndash there is a danger that much neededspecialist dementia services for people with younger onset dementia will be lost such asthe Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker (YODKW) program In our recent Budget

Submission we recommended that the Government continue the block-funding of theYODKW program outside of the NDIS which is ill-equipped to deal with the needs ofpeople with dementia This will ensure that people with younger onset dementia haveaccess to this essential support service

Earlier this month Alzheimerrsquos Australia hosted a Consumer Summit at ParliamentHouse in Canberra which aimed to get our consumersrsquo views on what the governmentrsquosaged care and disability policies really meant for them Overwhelmingly the majority ofconsumers said that the system is complex difficult to navigate and there is still a hugelack of awareness across the community about dementia and its impact

Recommendations and suggestions from the consumers to address this and other issueswere outlined in a Communique that was presented by our consumers to ourParliamentary Friends of Dementia co-conveners the Hon Shayne Neumann MP andthe Hon Teresa Gambaro MP Alzheimerrsquos Australia is hopeful that therecommendations will provide a good platform for state and federal policy makers todrive positive changes for those who need it the most

I look forward to working together to change the experience of living with dementia anddisrupt the concept that dementia is a predetermined experience

Carol BennettChief Executive OfficerAlzheimerrsquos Australia

FEATURE ARTICLE SUPPORTING PEOPLEWITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR FAMILIES THE

CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE- MARCH SUMMIT

Alzheimerrsquos Australia held a National Consumer Summit on 3-4 March in ParliamentHouse Canberra The Summit brought together 50 people with dementia and carersfrom across Australia to share their experiences The objective of the Summit was toidentify how people with dementia and their carers can be better supported

In welcoming delegates National President Graeme Samuel acknowledged that peoplewith dementia and their families are lsquoleadersrsquo who play a critical role in advocacy andraising awareness about the issues facing people with dementia families and carers

International keynote speaker Gina Shaw who is diagnosed with younger onsetdementia shared insights on the successful lsquoDementia Friendsrsquo program in the UK aswell as the importance of living well with dementia Gina starred in the Dementia Friendscampaign which can be viewed here

Delegates also heard from speakers and a panel discussion chaired by AlzheimerrsquosAustralia national ambassador Ita Buttrose

The centrepiece of the Summit was a consumer workshop where delegates discussedfour main topics

Submission we recommended that the Government continue the block-funding of theYODKW program outside of the NDIS which is ill-equipped to deal with the needs ofpeople with dementia This will ensure that people with younger onset dementia haveaccess to this essential support service

Earlier this month Alzheimerrsquos Australia hosted a Consumer Summit at ParliamentHouse in Canberra which aimed to get our consumersrsquo views on what the governmentrsquosaged care and disability policies really meant for them Overwhelmingly the majority ofconsumers said that the system is complex difficult to navigate and there is still a hugelack of awareness across the community about dementia and its impact

Recommendations and suggestions from the consumers to address this and other issueswere outlined in a Communique that was presented by our consumers to ourParliamentary Friends of Dementia co-conveners the Hon Shayne Neumann MP andthe Hon Teresa Gambaro MP Alzheimerrsquos Australia is hopeful that therecommendations will provide a good platform for state and federal policy makers todrive positive changes for those who need it the most

I look forward to working together to change the experience of living with dementia anddisrupt the concept that dementia is a predetermined experience

Carol BennettChief Executive OfficerAlzheimerrsquos Australia

FEATURE ARTICLE SUPPORTING PEOPLEWITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR FAMILIES THE

CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE- MARCH SUMMIT

Alzheimerrsquos Australia held a National Consumer Summit on 3-4 March in ParliamentHouse Canberra The Summit brought together 50 people with dementia and carersfrom across Australia to share their experiences The objective of the Summit was toidentify how people with dementia and their carers can be better supported

In welcoming delegates National President Graeme Samuel acknowledged that peoplewith dementia and their families are lsquoleadersrsquo who play a critical role in advocacy andraising awareness about the issues facing people with dementia families and carers

International keynote speaker Gina Shaw who is diagnosed with younger onsetdementia shared insights on the successful lsquoDementia Friendsrsquo program in the UK aswell as the importance of living well with dementia Gina starred in the Dementia Friendscampaign which can be viewed here

Delegates also heard from speakers and a panel discussion chaired by AlzheimerrsquosAustralia national ambassador Ita Buttrose

The centrepiece of the Summit was a consumer workshop where delegates discussedfour main topics

How can communities be more inclusive of people with dementiaWhat services are needed to support people with dementia and their carers in thecommunityHow can the health care system provide better services to people with dementia inboth primary care and hospitalsWhat needs to be done to improve quality of residential care services including forpeople with severe behavioural symptoms of dementia

Workshop discussions led to the development of a Communique targeted towardsGovernment and key decision makers

Consumers called for

The establishment of a Dementia Friends national community awareness andeducation campaign to reduce the fear and stigma associated with dementia

The expansion of the Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker Program to betterassist people with dementia their carers and families in navigating the healthdisability and aged care systems and to provide continuity of support inparticular to focus on people who are living alone and those from diversebackgrounds whose needs are not being met within mainstream services

An improvement in training for all health care workers to ensure that they aredementia aware and are able to provide appropriate assistance to people withdementia their carers and their families

More flexible and smaller community based alternative models of residential agedcare This needs to be supported by a consideration of a new funding model forthe specialist support of people with dementia

The two-day Summit culminated in the presentation of the Communique to the co-conveners of the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Teresa Gambaro MP and ShayneNeumann MP Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also sent a statement in support of theSummit and the work of Alzheimerrsquos Australia The Summit enabled delegates to share their experiences and to hear from a wide rangeof experts It was also an opportunity for those new to advocacy to meet withexperienced and committed advocates

As Graeme said in his closing statement ldquohellipthe advocacy journey can be a long andfrustrating one But I hope it is not a lonely one Our very presence here is a reminderof the community of committed and like-minded advocatesrdquo

Alzheimerrsquos Australia thanks all the people with dementia and carers from acrossAustralia who have given so generously of their time to take part in the Summit

Key presentations from the Summit are available on the website hereDownload the full copy of the Communique

Summmit attendees in front of Government House

OUR STORIES

YOUNGER ONSET DEMENTIA KEY WORKER PROGRAM - VICTORIA

Sue has a younger onset dementia key worker Jo whohas been an integral support in assisting Sue to maintainher independence and has worked seamlessly with anumber of other service providers to ensure that Sue canbe actively involved within her community

Sue is 64 years old and lives in the small town of Castlemaine in Central Victoria Shelives independently with her beloved giant schnauzer Dolly Dolly is almost as large asSue who is a slight person Sue moved to Castlemaine a couple of years ago fromQueensland a place she thinks of fondly that is much warmer than chilly CastlemaineNot long after moving to Castlemaine Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimerrsquos Disease

Since her diagnosis Sue has achieved a great deal Sue was initially living with a friend inCastlemaine she has since moved into her own unit now has a case manager andreceives some funding for minimal assistance to live independently Currently she onlyneeds help with a big shop once every couple of weeks

Most importantly Sue has made new friends and become involved in many activities inCastlemaine She regularly talks to the neighbours and asks for help if she needs it Shevolunteers weekly at the community house chopping up vegies for their lunch thatcaters to over one hundred people She assists at one of the community gardens in townand also travels by train to Bendigo once a month to take part in an art appreciation

activity group that meets at the Bendigo Art Gallery

The activity that sustains Sue most however is her daily walk with Dolly into the beautifulheritage centre of Castlemaine to enjoy her daily coffee at her favourite cafe Thewaiting staff know her order and she passes time with other regulars some of whomalso have dogs

Sue says ldquoHis needing a walk gets me up and going in the mornings In the early days ofliving here he brought me home when I was lost He finds things Irsquove misplaced aroundthe unit although I can tell that some days he doesnrsquot want to be helpful I can also seethat he is getting older and slowing down a little Dolly means everything to me I wouldnrsquotbe here if it wasnrsquot for himrdquo

Sue has been connected to the Mind Dog organisation Mind Dog is a Sydney basedorganisation initially set up to assist people with a psychiatric disability who wanted totrain their dogs to the standard of being an official assistance dog similar to a guide dogThe Mind Dog organisation sources a trainer and links the trainer with the dog owner anddog They then work together to train the dog Once a dog has passed the assistancedog test they can do all the things a guide dog does ndash go into cafes use public transportetc They also become very responsive to their ownerrsquos needs and are very wellbehaved

Sue would like Dolly to behave better and to get less excited when people call on her Sofar Dolly and Sue have met their dog trainer a couple of times and have a plan to followSue is having some help from her regular support worker to practise the correctcommands Sue and Dolly are working hard together to get him test ready however bothare already benefiting from this training

Sue and Dolly are a great example of how a diagnosis of dementia does not need to getin the way of living an active enjoyable life that includes social connection exerciseindependence and freedom

Thank you to Sue for allowing us to share her story with HOPE readers

Jo MiddletonYounger Onset Dementia Key WorkerAlzheimerrsquos Australia Victoria

ALZHEIMERS AUSTRALIA DEMENTIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee was established in 2013 toadvise the organisation on the priorities of people with dementia in relation to policy andadvocacy work All members of the committee have dementia

A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF LIVING WITH YOUNGER ONSET

DEMENTIA

To coincide with the release of the film Still Alice Di a member of the AlzheimersAustralia Dementia Advisory Committee who is living with younger onset dementia haswritten an article about her life living with dementia which was featured on newscomau

You can read the full article here

UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR

People with dementia as advocates

In the past few months people with dementia have frequently been in the news andsharing their real life stories and the challenges that they and their families face followinga diagnosis of dementia At last it is not only stories written by family carers or a supportperson but by the very people who have been diagnosed with dementia ndash the trueexperts of the lived experience People like Glen Campbell have written heart felt songsabout living with his diagnosis of dementia Stingrsquos (Australian musician) wife TrudieStyler was interviewed about her motherrsquos dementia Hugh Jackman (Australian actor)was interviewed about his father Chris Jackmans dementia and numerous other highprofile people have spoken out

Now ordinary people living extraordinary lives are starting to speak out and advocate forthemselves and for their fellow friends ndash in person or online friends ndash who are living withdementia Online support groups exclusive to people with dementia are being runweekly in a number of countries and supported by the global group Dementia AllianceInternational which is an advocacy and support group of by and for people withdementia

Activities like blogging and writing poetry have become the norm for many along withgymnasiums art projects choirs walking groups and a barrage of other normal lifestyleactivities many of them aiming to become dementia friendly and inclusive of people withdementia This has a lot to do with the fact we are no longer staying behind closed doorsand there are increasing numbers of people with dementia living in our communities forlonger accommodating and learning to live with the ever present and changingdisabilities of dementia Importantly treating them as disabilities rather than a pathwayto aged care and death is empowering and enabling

Kiama is a great example of this and the local Kiama Dementia Advisory Committeemodelled on the Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee has been set upand is active in their own community With the support of their family or friends based onwhat they want and not on what people without dementia think they want the committeeis working towards the town of Kiama being dementia friendly They are a positive changein the dementia friendly communitiesrsquo initiative and I hope other communities copy them

In Kiama I came up with a replacement term lsquoBrain Health Hubrsquo instead of lsquoMemory Hubrsquoand they have agreed to use it A Brain Health Hub is a place where information aboutliving with dementia and cognitive impairment can be found as well as brain health andpreventative lifestyle and health factors I am thrilled the Dementia Friendly WorkingGroup in Alzheimerrsquos Australia South Australia has also embraced this term and is usingit It positively fits with the message of Brain Health and as it no longer has the wordmemory in it it is encouraging people with any type of cognitive impairment to seekinformation and support and is no longer exacerbating the myth that everyone withdementia has memory loss

It is important that people with dementia are at the centre of this work includingempowering us to advocate for ourselves for our own future is definitely the best wayforward

As a global advocate I am thrilled to be able to announce the World Dementia Councilnow has a person with dementia as a member and I have been invited to the WorldHealth Organisation meeting in March making me the first person with dementia toattend representing people with dementia Alzheimerrsquos Disease International has alsoagreed to a formal collaboration between themselves and Dementia AllianceInternational (DAI) and DAI is now the peak body around the world for people with

dementia I am proud to have played a small part in advocating for these changes andour inclusion

At long last we are starting to achieve the goal of ldquonothing about us without usrdquo

Kate Swaffer

Chair Alzheimers Australia Dementia AdvisoryCommitteeCo-chair Consumerrsquos Dementia Research NetworkCo-founder Co-chair Dementia Alliance International

MAKING LIFE EASIER

Help Sheets for Younger Onset DementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has a number of Help Sheets foryounger onset dementia The Help Sheets provide advicecommon sense approaches and practical strategies on theissues most commonly raised about younger onset dementia

To download a copy of the Help Sheets follow the link hereand click on the green category for Younger Onset Dementia

Recommended ReadingA number of books written on younger onset dementia are available from AlzheimerrsquosAustralia libraries The libraries also hold other books and videos about dementia andhow to manage the condition Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 ifyou would like some more information about these books and videos

Contact NumbersNational Dementia Helpline1800 100 500 Alzheimers Australia1800 100 500 orWWWFIGHTDEMENTIAORGAU Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)1800 699 799 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre

1800 052 222 Emergency Respite (After Hours)1800 059 059

SOCIAL MEDIAHave you joined Alzheimers Australias Facebook page

Our Facebook page provides updates on our fight dementia campaign younger onsetdementia shares the latest dementia research and information about events andfundraisers as well as stories from consumers and media highlights

Follow Alzheimers Australia on

Facebook

RESEARCH PROJECTS ANDBREAKTHROUGHS

Summmit attendees in front of Government House

OUR STORIES

YOUNGER ONSET DEMENTIA KEY WORKER PROGRAM - VICTORIA

Sue has a younger onset dementia key worker Jo whohas been an integral support in assisting Sue to maintainher independence and has worked seamlessly with anumber of other service providers to ensure that Sue canbe actively involved within her community

Sue is 64 years old and lives in the small town of Castlemaine in Central Victoria Shelives independently with her beloved giant schnauzer Dolly Dolly is almost as large asSue who is a slight person Sue moved to Castlemaine a couple of years ago fromQueensland a place she thinks of fondly that is much warmer than chilly CastlemaineNot long after moving to Castlemaine Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimerrsquos Disease

Since her diagnosis Sue has achieved a great deal Sue was initially living with a friend inCastlemaine she has since moved into her own unit now has a case manager andreceives some funding for minimal assistance to live independently Currently she onlyneeds help with a big shop once every couple of weeks

Most importantly Sue has made new friends and become involved in many activities inCastlemaine She regularly talks to the neighbours and asks for help if she needs it Shevolunteers weekly at the community house chopping up vegies for their lunch thatcaters to over one hundred people She assists at one of the community gardens in townand also travels by train to Bendigo once a month to take part in an art appreciation

activity group that meets at the Bendigo Art Gallery

The activity that sustains Sue most however is her daily walk with Dolly into the beautifulheritage centre of Castlemaine to enjoy her daily coffee at her favourite cafe Thewaiting staff know her order and she passes time with other regulars some of whomalso have dogs

Sue says ldquoHis needing a walk gets me up and going in the mornings In the early days ofliving here he brought me home when I was lost He finds things Irsquove misplaced aroundthe unit although I can tell that some days he doesnrsquot want to be helpful I can also seethat he is getting older and slowing down a little Dolly means everything to me I wouldnrsquotbe here if it wasnrsquot for himrdquo

Sue has been connected to the Mind Dog organisation Mind Dog is a Sydney basedorganisation initially set up to assist people with a psychiatric disability who wanted totrain their dogs to the standard of being an official assistance dog similar to a guide dogThe Mind Dog organisation sources a trainer and links the trainer with the dog owner anddog They then work together to train the dog Once a dog has passed the assistancedog test they can do all the things a guide dog does ndash go into cafes use public transportetc They also become very responsive to their ownerrsquos needs and are very wellbehaved

Sue would like Dolly to behave better and to get less excited when people call on her Sofar Dolly and Sue have met their dog trainer a couple of times and have a plan to followSue is having some help from her regular support worker to practise the correctcommands Sue and Dolly are working hard together to get him test ready however bothare already benefiting from this training

Sue and Dolly are a great example of how a diagnosis of dementia does not need to getin the way of living an active enjoyable life that includes social connection exerciseindependence and freedom

Thank you to Sue for allowing us to share her story with HOPE readers

Jo MiddletonYounger Onset Dementia Key WorkerAlzheimerrsquos Australia Victoria

ALZHEIMERS AUSTRALIA DEMENTIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee was established in 2013 toadvise the organisation on the priorities of people with dementia in relation to policy andadvocacy work All members of the committee have dementia

A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF LIVING WITH YOUNGER ONSET

DEMENTIA

To coincide with the release of the film Still Alice Di a member of the AlzheimersAustralia Dementia Advisory Committee who is living with younger onset dementia haswritten an article about her life living with dementia which was featured on newscomau

You can read the full article here

UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR

People with dementia as advocates

In the past few months people with dementia have frequently been in the news andsharing their real life stories and the challenges that they and their families face followinga diagnosis of dementia At last it is not only stories written by family carers or a supportperson but by the very people who have been diagnosed with dementia ndash the trueexperts of the lived experience People like Glen Campbell have written heart felt songsabout living with his diagnosis of dementia Stingrsquos (Australian musician) wife TrudieStyler was interviewed about her motherrsquos dementia Hugh Jackman (Australian actor)was interviewed about his father Chris Jackmans dementia and numerous other highprofile people have spoken out

Now ordinary people living extraordinary lives are starting to speak out and advocate forthemselves and for their fellow friends ndash in person or online friends ndash who are living withdementia Online support groups exclusive to people with dementia are being runweekly in a number of countries and supported by the global group Dementia AllianceInternational which is an advocacy and support group of by and for people withdementia

Activities like blogging and writing poetry have become the norm for many along withgymnasiums art projects choirs walking groups and a barrage of other normal lifestyleactivities many of them aiming to become dementia friendly and inclusive of people withdementia This has a lot to do with the fact we are no longer staying behind closed doorsand there are increasing numbers of people with dementia living in our communities forlonger accommodating and learning to live with the ever present and changingdisabilities of dementia Importantly treating them as disabilities rather than a pathwayto aged care and death is empowering and enabling

Kiama is a great example of this and the local Kiama Dementia Advisory Committeemodelled on the Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee has been set upand is active in their own community With the support of their family or friends based onwhat they want and not on what people without dementia think they want the committeeis working towards the town of Kiama being dementia friendly They are a positive changein the dementia friendly communitiesrsquo initiative and I hope other communities copy them

In Kiama I came up with a replacement term lsquoBrain Health Hubrsquo instead of lsquoMemory Hubrsquoand they have agreed to use it A Brain Health Hub is a place where information aboutliving with dementia and cognitive impairment can be found as well as brain health andpreventative lifestyle and health factors I am thrilled the Dementia Friendly WorkingGroup in Alzheimerrsquos Australia South Australia has also embraced this term and is usingit It positively fits with the message of Brain Health and as it no longer has the wordmemory in it it is encouraging people with any type of cognitive impairment to seekinformation and support and is no longer exacerbating the myth that everyone withdementia has memory loss

It is important that people with dementia are at the centre of this work includingempowering us to advocate for ourselves for our own future is definitely the best wayforward

As a global advocate I am thrilled to be able to announce the World Dementia Councilnow has a person with dementia as a member and I have been invited to the WorldHealth Organisation meeting in March making me the first person with dementia toattend representing people with dementia Alzheimerrsquos Disease International has alsoagreed to a formal collaboration between themselves and Dementia AllianceInternational (DAI) and DAI is now the peak body around the world for people with

dementia I am proud to have played a small part in advocating for these changes andour inclusion

At long last we are starting to achieve the goal of ldquonothing about us without usrdquo

Kate Swaffer

Chair Alzheimers Australia Dementia AdvisoryCommitteeCo-chair Consumerrsquos Dementia Research NetworkCo-founder Co-chair Dementia Alliance International

MAKING LIFE EASIER

Help Sheets for Younger Onset DementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has a number of Help Sheets foryounger onset dementia The Help Sheets provide advicecommon sense approaches and practical strategies on theissues most commonly raised about younger onset dementia

To download a copy of the Help Sheets follow the link hereand click on the green category for Younger Onset Dementia

Recommended ReadingA number of books written on younger onset dementia are available from AlzheimerrsquosAustralia libraries The libraries also hold other books and videos about dementia andhow to manage the condition Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 ifyou would like some more information about these books and videos

Contact NumbersNational Dementia Helpline1800 100 500 Alzheimers Australia1800 100 500 orWWWFIGHTDEMENTIAORGAU Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)1800 699 799 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre

1800 052 222 Emergency Respite (After Hours)1800 059 059

SOCIAL MEDIAHave you joined Alzheimers Australias Facebook page

Our Facebook page provides updates on our fight dementia campaign younger onsetdementia shares the latest dementia research and information about events andfundraisers as well as stories from consumers and media highlights

Follow Alzheimers Australia on

Facebook

RESEARCH PROJECTS ANDBREAKTHROUGHS

activity group that meets at the Bendigo Art Gallery

The activity that sustains Sue most however is her daily walk with Dolly into the beautifulheritage centre of Castlemaine to enjoy her daily coffee at her favourite cafe Thewaiting staff know her order and she passes time with other regulars some of whomalso have dogs

Sue says ldquoHis needing a walk gets me up and going in the mornings In the early days ofliving here he brought me home when I was lost He finds things Irsquove misplaced aroundthe unit although I can tell that some days he doesnrsquot want to be helpful I can also seethat he is getting older and slowing down a little Dolly means everything to me I wouldnrsquotbe here if it wasnrsquot for himrdquo

Sue has been connected to the Mind Dog organisation Mind Dog is a Sydney basedorganisation initially set up to assist people with a psychiatric disability who wanted totrain their dogs to the standard of being an official assistance dog similar to a guide dogThe Mind Dog organisation sources a trainer and links the trainer with the dog owner anddog They then work together to train the dog Once a dog has passed the assistancedog test they can do all the things a guide dog does ndash go into cafes use public transportetc They also become very responsive to their ownerrsquos needs and are very wellbehaved

Sue would like Dolly to behave better and to get less excited when people call on her Sofar Dolly and Sue have met their dog trainer a couple of times and have a plan to followSue is having some help from her regular support worker to practise the correctcommands Sue and Dolly are working hard together to get him test ready however bothare already benefiting from this training

Sue and Dolly are a great example of how a diagnosis of dementia does not need to getin the way of living an active enjoyable life that includes social connection exerciseindependence and freedom

Thank you to Sue for allowing us to share her story with HOPE readers

Jo MiddletonYounger Onset Dementia Key WorkerAlzheimerrsquos Australia Victoria

ALZHEIMERS AUSTRALIA DEMENTIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee was established in 2013 toadvise the organisation on the priorities of people with dementia in relation to policy andadvocacy work All members of the committee have dementia

A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF LIVING WITH YOUNGER ONSET

DEMENTIA

To coincide with the release of the film Still Alice Di a member of the AlzheimersAustralia Dementia Advisory Committee who is living with younger onset dementia haswritten an article about her life living with dementia which was featured on newscomau

You can read the full article here

UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR

People with dementia as advocates

In the past few months people with dementia have frequently been in the news andsharing their real life stories and the challenges that they and their families face followinga diagnosis of dementia At last it is not only stories written by family carers or a supportperson but by the very people who have been diagnosed with dementia ndash the trueexperts of the lived experience People like Glen Campbell have written heart felt songsabout living with his diagnosis of dementia Stingrsquos (Australian musician) wife TrudieStyler was interviewed about her motherrsquos dementia Hugh Jackman (Australian actor)was interviewed about his father Chris Jackmans dementia and numerous other highprofile people have spoken out

Now ordinary people living extraordinary lives are starting to speak out and advocate forthemselves and for their fellow friends ndash in person or online friends ndash who are living withdementia Online support groups exclusive to people with dementia are being runweekly in a number of countries and supported by the global group Dementia AllianceInternational which is an advocacy and support group of by and for people withdementia

Activities like blogging and writing poetry have become the norm for many along withgymnasiums art projects choirs walking groups and a barrage of other normal lifestyleactivities many of them aiming to become dementia friendly and inclusive of people withdementia This has a lot to do with the fact we are no longer staying behind closed doorsand there are increasing numbers of people with dementia living in our communities forlonger accommodating and learning to live with the ever present and changingdisabilities of dementia Importantly treating them as disabilities rather than a pathwayto aged care and death is empowering and enabling

Kiama is a great example of this and the local Kiama Dementia Advisory Committeemodelled on the Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee has been set upand is active in their own community With the support of their family or friends based onwhat they want and not on what people without dementia think they want the committeeis working towards the town of Kiama being dementia friendly They are a positive changein the dementia friendly communitiesrsquo initiative and I hope other communities copy them

In Kiama I came up with a replacement term lsquoBrain Health Hubrsquo instead of lsquoMemory Hubrsquoand they have agreed to use it A Brain Health Hub is a place where information aboutliving with dementia and cognitive impairment can be found as well as brain health andpreventative lifestyle and health factors I am thrilled the Dementia Friendly WorkingGroup in Alzheimerrsquos Australia South Australia has also embraced this term and is usingit It positively fits with the message of Brain Health and as it no longer has the wordmemory in it it is encouraging people with any type of cognitive impairment to seekinformation and support and is no longer exacerbating the myth that everyone withdementia has memory loss

It is important that people with dementia are at the centre of this work includingempowering us to advocate for ourselves for our own future is definitely the best wayforward

As a global advocate I am thrilled to be able to announce the World Dementia Councilnow has a person with dementia as a member and I have been invited to the WorldHealth Organisation meeting in March making me the first person with dementia toattend representing people with dementia Alzheimerrsquos Disease International has alsoagreed to a formal collaboration between themselves and Dementia AllianceInternational (DAI) and DAI is now the peak body around the world for people with

dementia I am proud to have played a small part in advocating for these changes andour inclusion

At long last we are starting to achieve the goal of ldquonothing about us without usrdquo

Kate Swaffer

Chair Alzheimers Australia Dementia AdvisoryCommitteeCo-chair Consumerrsquos Dementia Research NetworkCo-founder Co-chair Dementia Alliance International

MAKING LIFE EASIER

Help Sheets for Younger Onset DementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has a number of Help Sheets foryounger onset dementia The Help Sheets provide advicecommon sense approaches and practical strategies on theissues most commonly raised about younger onset dementia

To download a copy of the Help Sheets follow the link hereand click on the green category for Younger Onset Dementia

Recommended ReadingA number of books written on younger onset dementia are available from AlzheimerrsquosAustralia libraries The libraries also hold other books and videos about dementia andhow to manage the condition Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 ifyou would like some more information about these books and videos

Contact NumbersNational Dementia Helpline1800 100 500 Alzheimers Australia1800 100 500 orWWWFIGHTDEMENTIAORGAU Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)1800 699 799 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre

1800 052 222 Emergency Respite (After Hours)1800 059 059

SOCIAL MEDIAHave you joined Alzheimers Australias Facebook page

Our Facebook page provides updates on our fight dementia campaign younger onsetdementia shares the latest dementia research and information about events andfundraisers as well as stories from consumers and media highlights

Follow Alzheimers Australia on

Facebook

RESEARCH PROJECTS ANDBREAKTHROUGHS

You can read the full article here

UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR

People with dementia as advocates

In the past few months people with dementia have frequently been in the news andsharing their real life stories and the challenges that they and their families face followinga diagnosis of dementia At last it is not only stories written by family carers or a supportperson but by the very people who have been diagnosed with dementia ndash the trueexperts of the lived experience People like Glen Campbell have written heart felt songsabout living with his diagnosis of dementia Stingrsquos (Australian musician) wife TrudieStyler was interviewed about her motherrsquos dementia Hugh Jackman (Australian actor)was interviewed about his father Chris Jackmans dementia and numerous other highprofile people have spoken out

Now ordinary people living extraordinary lives are starting to speak out and advocate forthemselves and for their fellow friends ndash in person or online friends ndash who are living withdementia Online support groups exclusive to people with dementia are being runweekly in a number of countries and supported by the global group Dementia AllianceInternational which is an advocacy and support group of by and for people withdementia

Activities like blogging and writing poetry have become the norm for many along withgymnasiums art projects choirs walking groups and a barrage of other normal lifestyleactivities many of them aiming to become dementia friendly and inclusive of people withdementia This has a lot to do with the fact we are no longer staying behind closed doorsand there are increasing numbers of people with dementia living in our communities forlonger accommodating and learning to live with the ever present and changingdisabilities of dementia Importantly treating them as disabilities rather than a pathwayto aged care and death is empowering and enabling

Kiama is a great example of this and the local Kiama Dementia Advisory Committeemodelled on the Alzheimerrsquos Australia Dementia Advisory Committee has been set upand is active in their own community With the support of their family or friends based onwhat they want and not on what people without dementia think they want the committeeis working towards the town of Kiama being dementia friendly They are a positive changein the dementia friendly communitiesrsquo initiative and I hope other communities copy them

In Kiama I came up with a replacement term lsquoBrain Health Hubrsquo instead of lsquoMemory Hubrsquoand they have agreed to use it A Brain Health Hub is a place where information aboutliving with dementia and cognitive impairment can be found as well as brain health andpreventative lifestyle and health factors I am thrilled the Dementia Friendly WorkingGroup in Alzheimerrsquos Australia South Australia has also embraced this term and is usingit It positively fits with the message of Brain Health and as it no longer has the wordmemory in it it is encouraging people with any type of cognitive impairment to seekinformation and support and is no longer exacerbating the myth that everyone withdementia has memory loss

It is important that people with dementia are at the centre of this work includingempowering us to advocate for ourselves for our own future is definitely the best wayforward

As a global advocate I am thrilled to be able to announce the World Dementia Councilnow has a person with dementia as a member and I have been invited to the WorldHealth Organisation meeting in March making me the first person with dementia toattend representing people with dementia Alzheimerrsquos Disease International has alsoagreed to a formal collaboration between themselves and Dementia AllianceInternational (DAI) and DAI is now the peak body around the world for people with

dementia I am proud to have played a small part in advocating for these changes andour inclusion

At long last we are starting to achieve the goal of ldquonothing about us without usrdquo

Kate Swaffer

Chair Alzheimers Australia Dementia AdvisoryCommitteeCo-chair Consumerrsquos Dementia Research NetworkCo-founder Co-chair Dementia Alliance International

MAKING LIFE EASIER

Help Sheets for Younger Onset DementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has a number of Help Sheets foryounger onset dementia The Help Sheets provide advicecommon sense approaches and practical strategies on theissues most commonly raised about younger onset dementia

To download a copy of the Help Sheets follow the link hereand click on the green category for Younger Onset Dementia

Recommended ReadingA number of books written on younger onset dementia are available from AlzheimerrsquosAustralia libraries The libraries also hold other books and videos about dementia andhow to manage the condition Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 ifyou would like some more information about these books and videos

Contact NumbersNational Dementia Helpline1800 100 500 Alzheimers Australia1800 100 500 orWWWFIGHTDEMENTIAORGAU Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)1800 699 799 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre

1800 052 222 Emergency Respite (After Hours)1800 059 059

SOCIAL MEDIAHave you joined Alzheimers Australias Facebook page

Our Facebook page provides updates on our fight dementia campaign younger onsetdementia shares the latest dementia research and information about events andfundraisers as well as stories from consumers and media highlights

Follow Alzheimers Australia on

Facebook

RESEARCH PROJECTS ANDBREAKTHROUGHS

dementia I am proud to have played a small part in advocating for these changes andour inclusion

At long last we are starting to achieve the goal of ldquonothing about us without usrdquo

Kate Swaffer

Chair Alzheimers Australia Dementia AdvisoryCommitteeCo-chair Consumerrsquos Dementia Research NetworkCo-founder Co-chair Dementia Alliance International

MAKING LIFE EASIER

Help Sheets for Younger Onset DementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has a number of Help Sheets foryounger onset dementia The Help Sheets provide advicecommon sense approaches and practical strategies on theissues most commonly raised about younger onset dementia

To download a copy of the Help Sheets follow the link hereand click on the green category for Younger Onset Dementia

Recommended ReadingA number of books written on younger onset dementia are available from AlzheimerrsquosAustralia libraries The libraries also hold other books and videos about dementia andhow to manage the condition Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 ifyou would like some more information about these books and videos

Contact NumbersNational Dementia Helpline1800 100 500 Alzheimers Australia1800 100 500 orWWWFIGHTDEMENTIAORGAU Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)1800 699 799 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre

1800 052 222 Emergency Respite (After Hours)1800 059 059

SOCIAL MEDIAHave you joined Alzheimers Australias Facebook page

Our Facebook page provides updates on our fight dementia campaign younger onsetdementia shares the latest dementia research and information about events andfundraisers as well as stories from consumers and media highlights

Follow Alzheimers Australia on

Facebook

RESEARCH PROJECTS ANDBREAKTHROUGHS

1800 052 222 Emergency Respite (After Hours)1800 059 059

SOCIAL MEDIAHave you joined Alzheimers Australias Facebook page

Our Facebook page provides updates on our fight dementia campaign younger onsetdementia shares the latest dementia research and information about events andfundraisers as well as stories from consumers and media highlights

Follow Alzheimers Australia on

Facebook

RESEARCH PROJECTS ANDBREAKTHROUGHS

Dementia Alzheimers and Anavex ৷The Feed

Paul who is living with younger onset dementia talks about his life with the condition Ican be a father Im still active I still have a life

Watch the rest of his and his familys story on You Tube here

Dementia NewsDementia News provides a plain language summary of current dementia research bothin Australia and around the world ndash visit the blog and read previous articles

If you havenrsquot already you can sign up to Dementia News the research e-newsletterhere

Get Involved in Dementia ResearchTo find a list of current Australian research projects requiring participants click herePlease direct any queries about specific studies to the contact of the study

IN THE MEDIAIncreased Public Awareness About Dementia CriticalAt a recent national Consumer Summit held by Alzheimerrsquos Australia earlier this month50 people with dementia and their carers from around Australia converged on ParliamentHouse in Canberra over two days to send a clear message to parliamentarians about theneed for community awareness and programs to reduce the fear stigma and socialisolation frequently associated with a diagnosis of dementia

Read the full article here

People with Dementia Call for Action Dementia Specific ServicesOne of the summit attendees who lives with younger onset dementia Vicki Noonan awife mother of two and former primary school teacher raised the urgent need forexpanded dementia-specific services particularly for those with younger onset dementia

Read the full article here

Graeme Samuel AC tells Senate lsquopeople with younger onsetdementia deserve betterrsquoAccording to National President Alzheimerrsquos Australia Graeme Samuel AC ldquofor decadesconsumers have been calling for a program that provides individualised proactiveperson-centred support

Read the full media release here

Dismantling of dementia-specific programs detrimental for peoplewith younger onset dementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has urged the Federal Government to expand and continueinvestment in dementia-specific care and support services such as the Younger OnsetDementia Key Worker Program (YODKWP)

Alzheimerrsquos Australia CEO Carol Bennett said ldquoThere is overwhelming evidencesuggesting that the unique needs of people with dementia particularly people withyounger onset dementia cannot be supported through mainstream health and careservices

Alzheimerrsquos Australia has provided its recommendations to Government in a submissionto the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs on the adequacy of existingresidential care arrangements available for young people with severe physical mental orintellectual disabilities in Australia

Read the full media release hereDownload the submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs here

Dementia how our campaign for patient dignity in hospitals took offAn article recently published in The Guardian has raised an important issue aboutdementia care in hospitals an issue that Alzheimerrsquos Australia has had much focus onover recent years

Read the full article here Still Alice - sparking a conversation we have to haveAlzheimerrsquos Australia CEO Carol Bennett has said that she hopes the release of the filmStill Alice will lead to greater awareness of the enormous dementia challenge facing theAustralian community and particularly those experiencing younger-onset dementia The film was released in Australia earlier this year Based on the best-selling novel of thesame name and starring Golden Globe winner and Oscar winner Julianne Moore StillAlice portrays the complicated world of a woman diagnosed with younger-onsetdementia Read the full media release here Government to support early-career dementia researchersAlzheimerrsquos Australia welcomes the announcement made by the Hon Christopher PyneMP in early January on the Federal Governmentrsquos $46 million commitment to supportearly-career researchers in the field of dementia research

The Government will provide joint fellowships under a new scheme funded by theNational Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council

Read the full media release hereDownload Minister Pynersquos media release hereFind out more about the NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development FellowshipsScheme here

Support for people with dementia must be a priorityAlzheimerrsquos Australia expressed reservations about the transition to the newCommonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) arrangements announced in December2014 by the Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield

Carol Bennett CEO Alzheimerrsquos Australia said ldquoThe new assessment process andreview of support services including counselling information education and advocacyputs into question the continued funding for specialist programs that are vital to supportthe more than 332000 Australians living with dementia

Read the full media release here Alzheimerrsquos Australia welcomed the announcement by The HonChristopher Pyne MP early in January on the Federal Governmentrsquos$46 million commitment to support early-career researchers in thefield of dementia researchThe government will provide joint fellowships under a new scheme funded by theNational Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council

Read the full media release here The brainy New Yearrsquos resolution

In what Alzheimerrsquos Australia is describing as the brainy New Yearrsquos resolution GraemeSamuel National President Alzheimerrsquos Australia is encouraging Australians to take 5simple steps to maximise their brain health in 2015

ldquoThese include looking after your heart being physically active challenging your braineating healthily and enjoying social activity All these behaviours not only have asignificant impact on your risk of developing dementia but also impact on other chronicdiseasesrdquo Mr Samuel said

Read the full media release here

You can download the free brain health app BrainyApp available on Apple and Androiddevices

For more tips about brain health how to reduce your risk of dementia visityourbrainmattersorgau

WHATS ON

STATE AND TERRITORY EVENTS

Alzheimerrsquos Australia organises events courses support groups and many otheractivities in all capital cities and many regional centres Check your State or Territorypage on our website httpwwwfightdementiaorgau or call the National DementiaHelpline on 1800 100 500 for information on activities in your area

WHO READS HOPE

HOPE is read by people with younger onset dementia and their carers and family peopleworking in hospitals government (local state and federal) a wide range of communitybased organisations and health and residential care service providers dementiaadvisors health promotion organisations and the media

Each reader has their own reason for wanting to learn more about the communityaffected by younger onset dementia whether it be the personal stories from people withdementia and their carers current scientific or social policy research advocacy or simplyfinding out about available services and support

You can help make HOPE more interesting for your fellow readers by sending your storyor suggesting a topic that you think will interest readers I look forward to hearing frommore readers old and new in the coming months

You can also view and download this issue and past newsletters here

Irene DummettEditor HOPE NewsAlzheimers AustraliaE NATProgramsalzheimersorgau

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE FROM HOPEWe want to ensure HOPE is getting to the right people If you know someone who wouldlike to receive HOPE via email they can subscribe here

If you no longer wish to receive HOPE you can unsubscribe from this list or youcan update your subscription preferences

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services Visit wwwdssgovau for moreinformation

Copyright copy 2015 Alzheimers Australia All rights reserved

Dismantling of dementia-specific programs detrimental for peoplewith younger onset dementiaAlzheimerrsquos Australia has urged the Federal Government to expand and continueinvestment in dementia-specific care and support services such as the Younger OnsetDementia Key Worker Program (YODKWP)

Alzheimerrsquos Australia CEO Carol Bennett said ldquoThere is overwhelming evidencesuggesting that the unique needs of people with dementia particularly people withyounger onset dementia cannot be supported through mainstream health and careservices

Alzheimerrsquos Australia has provided its recommendations to Government in a submissionto the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs on the adequacy of existingresidential care arrangements available for young people with severe physical mental orintellectual disabilities in Australia

Read the full media release hereDownload the submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs here

Dementia how our campaign for patient dignity in hospitals took offAn article recently published in The Guardian has raised an important issue aboutdementia care in hospitals an issue that Alzheimerrsquos Australia has had much focus onover recent years

Read the full article here Still Alice - sparking a conversation we have to haveAlzheimerrsquos Australia CEO Carol Bennett has said that she hopes the release of the filmStill Alice will lead to greater awareness of the enormous dementia challenge facing theAustralian community and particularly those experiencing younger-onset dementia The film was released in Australia earlier this year Based on the best-selling novel of thesame name and starring Golden Globe winner and Oscar winner Julianne Moore StillAlice portrays the complicated world of a woman diagnosed with younger-onsetdementia Read the full media release here Government to support early-career dementia researchersAlzheimerrsquos Australia welcomes the announcement made by the Hon Christopher PyneMP in early January on the Federal Governmentrsquos $46 million commitment to supportearly-career researchers in the field of dementia research

The Government will provide joint fellowships under a new scheme funded by theNational Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council

Read the full media release hereDownload Minister Pynersquos media release hereFind out more about the NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development FellowshipsScheme here

Support for people with dementia must be a priorityAlzheimerrsquos Australia expressed reservations about the transition to the newCommonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) arrangements announced in December2014 by the Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield

Carol Bennett CEO Alzheimerrsquos Australia said ldquoThe new assessment process andreview of support services including counselling information education and advocacyputs into question the continued funding for specialist programs that are vital to supportthe more than 332000 Australians living with dementia

Read the full media release here Alzheimerrsquos Australia welcomed the announcement by The HonChristopher Pyne MP early in January on the Federal Governmentrsquos$46 million commitment to support early-career researchers in thefield of dementia researchThe government will provide joint fellowships under a new scheme funded by theNational Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council

Read the full media release here The brainy New Yearrsquos resolution

In what Alzheimerrsquos Australia is describing as the brainy New Yearrsquos resolution GraemeSamuel National President Alzheimerrsquos Australia is encouraging Australians to take 5simple steps to maximise their brain health in 2015

ldquoThese include looking after your heart being physically active challenging your braineating healthily and enjoying social activity All these behaviours not only have asignificant impact on your risk of developing dementia but also impact on other chronicdiseasesrdquo Mr Samuel said

Read the full media release here

You can download the free brain health app BrainyApp available on Apple and Androiddevices

For more tips about brain health how to reduce your risk of dementia visityourbrainmattersorgau

WHATS ON

STATE AND TERRITORY EVENTS

Alzheimerrsquos Australia organises events courses support groups and many otheractivities in all capital cities and many regional centres Check your State or Territorypage on our website httpwwwfightdementiaorgau or call the National DementiaHelpline on 1800 100 500 for information on activities in your area

WHO READS HOPE

HOPE is read by people with younger onset dementia and their carers and family peopleworking in hospitals government (local state and federal) a wide range of communitybased organisations and health and residential care service providers dementiaadvisors health promotion organisations and the media

Each reader has their own reason for wanting to learn more about the communityaffected by younger onset dementia whether it be the personal stories from people withdementia and their carers current scientific or social policy research advocacy or simplyfinding out about available services and support

You can help make HOPE more interesting for your fellow readers by sending your storyor suggesting a topic that you think will interest readers I look forward to hearing frommore readers old and new in the coming months

You can also view and download this issue and past newsletters here

Irene DummettEditor HOPE NewsAlzheimers AustraliaE NATProgramsalzheimersorgau

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE FROM HOPEWe want to ensure HOPE is getting to the right people If you know someone who wouldlike to receive HOPE via email they can subscribe here

If you no longer wish to receive HOPE you can unsubscribe from this list or youcan update your subscription preferences

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services Visit wwwdssgovau for moreinformation

Copyright copy 2015 Alzheimers Australia All rights reserved

Carol Bennett CEO Alzheimerrsquos Australia said ldquoThe new assessment process andreview of support services including counselling information education and advocacyputs into question the continued funding for specialist programs that are vital to supportthe more than 332000 Australians living with dementia

Read the full media release here Alzheimerrsquos Australia welcomed the announcement by The HonChristopher Pyne MP early in January on the Federal Governmentrsquos$46 million commitment to support early-career researchers in thefield of dementia researchThe government will provide joint fellowships under a new scheme funded by theNational Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council

Read the full media release here The brainy New Yearrsquos resolution

In what Alzheimerrsquos Australia is describing as the brainy New Yearrsquos resolution GraemeSamuel National President Alzheimerrsquos Australia is encouraging Australians to take 5simple steps to maximise their brain health in 2015

ldquoThese include looking after your heart being physically active challenging your braineating healthily and enjoying social activity All these behaviours not only have asignificant impact on your risk of developing dementia but also impact on other chronicdiseasesrdquo Mr Samuel said

Read the full media release here

You can download the free brain health app BrainyApp available on Apple and Androiddevices

For more tips about brain health how to reduce your risk of dementia visityourbrainmattersorgau

WHATS ON

STATE AND TERRITORY EVENTS

Alzheimerrsquos Australia organises events courses support groups and many otheractivities in all capital cities and many regional centres Check your State or Territorypage on our website httpwwwfightdementiaorgau or call the National DementiaHelpline on 1800 100 500 for information on activities in your area

WHO READS HOPE

HOPE is read by people with younger onset dementia and their carers and family peopleworking in hospitals government (local state and federal) a wide range of communitybased organisations and health and residential care service providers dementiaadvisors health promotion organisations and the media

Each reader has their own reason for wanting to learn more about the communityaffected by younger onset dementia whether it be the personal stories from people withdementia and their carers current scientific or social policy research advocacy or simplyfinding out about available services and support

You can help make HOPE more interesting for your fellow readers by sending your storyor suggesting a topic that you think will interest readers I look forward to hearing frommore readers old and new in the coming months

You can also view and download this issue and past newsletters here

Irene DummettEditor HOPE NewsAlzheimers AustraliaE NATProgramsalzheimersorgau

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE FROM HOPEWe want to ensure HOPE is getting to the right people If you know someone who wouldlike to receive HOPE via email they can subscribe here

If you no longer wish to receive HOPE you can unsubscribe from this list or youcan update your subscription preferences

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services Visit wwwdssgovau for moreinformation

Copyright copy 2015 Alzheimers Australia All rights reserved

HOPE is read by people with younger onset dementia and their carers and family peopleworking in hospitals government (local state and federal) a wide range of communitybased organisations and health and residential care service providers dementiaadvisors health promotion organisations and the media

Each reader has their own reason for wanting to learn more about the communityaffected by younger onset dementia whether it be the personal stories from people withdementia and their carers current scientific or social policy research advocacy or simplyfinding out about available services and support

You can help make HOPE more interesting for your fellow readers by sending your storyor suggesting a topic that you think will interest readers I look forward to hearing frommore readers old and new in the coming months

You can also view and download this issue and past newsletters here

Irene DummettEditor HOPE NewsAlzheimers AustraliaE NATProgramsalzheimersorgau

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE FROM HOPEWe want to ensure HOPE is getting to the right people If you know someone who wouldlike to receive HOPE via email they can subscribe here

If you no longer wish to receive HOPE you can unsubscribe from this list or youcan update your subscription preferences

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services Visit wwwdssgovau for moreinformation

Copyright copy 2015 Alzheimers Australia All rights reserved