Keep calm and carry on with dementia

People with dementia and their carers are invited to attend a free information forum about the illness.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), City of Parramatta Council and Dementia Australia will host the event called ‘Looking out for DaVE’, which stands for ‘Dementia and the Vulnerable Elderly’.

The forum will explore what it means to be diagnosed with dementia, medication management, latest research, behavioural and psychological symptoms, awareness and brain health.

In Western Sydney, there is an estimated 12,346 people living with dementia.¹

WSLHD’s Dementia Advisory Service manager Sue Tolhurst said there will be specialist experts available at the event who can answer questions about the illness.

“It’s a great opportunity to ask questions or obtain information on how to care for your loved one if they are showing signs of early dementia,” Sue said.

The early signs of dementia include: Memory loss that disrupts daily life,  repetitive behaviour, difficulty performing familiar tasks, social isolation,confusion about time and place, problems with abstract thinking, loss of initiative, poor or decreased judgement, language problems and other behavioural changes.”

When: 21 June, 2019

Where: Westmead Education Conference Centre, Westmead Hospital

Time: 9.30am – 3pm

RSVP essential by 14 June to Janette.Welsby@health.nsw.gov.au or 0428 524 896.

Parking is free for pensioners. Please take your take your car parking ticket to the Secure office at the main entrance of Westmead Hospital when exiting.

For information about dementia, phone the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

You can also visit the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/resources/Pages/dementia.aspx

¹ Dementia Across Australia 2011-2050 Report