Are you concerned about your memory or worried that someone you know may have dementia? Dementia Australia is offering support in Ballina and Casino between 4 and 8 March.
It is estimated there are more than 141,000 people living with dementia in New South Wales. Without a medical breakthrough this number is expected to increase to more than 252,000 people living with dementia by 2054.
These Dementia Australia sessions are an opportunity for people living with dementia, their carers, family, and friends to attend free education to better understand dementia and to discuss the support and services Dementia Australia can provide. Please note, bookings are essential.
Carer Wellness Program
This group session is designed to support positive health and wellbeing outcomes for a carer, family or friend of a person living with dementia.
- Monday 4 March 9:30am-3pm in Lismore
Understanding Dementia
This session provides and introduction to dementia including an overview of different types of dementia, diagnosis, planning ahead and how to support someone living with dementia.
- Tuesday 5 March 9:30am-12pm in Ballina
It Starts With You
If you are passionate about your local community and want to make it more dementia-friendly, then this session is for you.
- Tuesday 5 March 1pm-1:30pm in Ballina
Consumer Engagement Information Session
This session will provide an overview of the three flagship Consumer Engagement programs available at Dementia Australia: Dementia Advocates, Connection Peers and Dementia-Friendly Communities.
- Tuesday 5 March 1:30pm-2:30pm in Ballina
Considering Residential Care
This session provides information about the process of considering and preparing for residential care.
- Tuesday 5 March 2:45pm-5pm in Ballina
Driving With Dementia
This program provides information about the impact of dementia on driving. It offers tips for recognising when dementia is impacting on someone’s ability to drive safely, the importance of planning ahead, and acknowledging the significance of retiring from driving.
- Wednesday 6 March 9:30am-12pm in Ballina
Activities At Home
This practical session assists carers looking after someone at home to plan engaging activities. It promotes independence and wellbeing by focusing on what the person with dementia can still do.
- Wednesday 6 March 1pm-2:45pm in Ballina
Communication and Dementia
The session provides information on dementia, the way we communicate and how changes in communication can occur as a result of dementia.
- Wednesday 6 March 3pm-5:30pm in Ballina
Understanding Changes in Behaviour
This session provides an introduction to dementia and changes to the brain, effects on behaviour and the impacts of changed behaviour. It will introduce problem solving models, including strategies to minimise and respond to changed behaviour.
- Thursday 7 March 9:30am-12:30pm in Ballina and Friday 8 March 1:30pm-3:30pm in Casino
EDIE for Family Carers
This session enhances knowledge of dementia through virtual reality technology that allows participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia.
- Thursday 7 March 1:30pm-4:30pm in Ballina and Friday 8 March 9:30am-12:30pm in Casino
Bookings are essential. Visit https://www.dementia.org.au/brainhub/ballina-casino for details and to register. You can also call the National Dementia Helpline to register for this course on 1800 100 500. The National Dementia Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.5 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
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Media contacts: Stephen O’Connell, Media & Communications Advisor, Stephen.oconnell@dementia.org.au, 0402 284 257
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.