THE Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Memory Van visited Port Macquarie on Tuesday, stopping at Town Green for several hours.
The van is a mobile education resource which travels state-wide to help raise awareness on the importance of brain health and dementia risk reduction.
It provides communities with information designed to help educate and assist people living with dementia, their carers and health professionals. Staff can also assist with inquiries about memory loss, local dementia services and support.
It is fully equipped with free help sheets and fact sheets and information about memory loss and how to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The friendly staff can help if you are worried about your own or someone else’s memory, interested in finding out more about memory and ageing and what you can do to lead a brain-healthy lifestyle.
Common questions are: is dementia hereditary, and also the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer is a type of dementia).
There are 1700 new cases of dementia a week in Australia and one in three Australians with dementia live in NSW. Dementia is fatal and there is, as yet, no cure. Due to the high number of retirees who live in Port Macquarie, it is expected to become a major issue as the baby boomer generation ages.
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW has an office in Port Macquarie at 55 Lord Street, PO Box 2577, Port Macquarie, which is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The can also be contacted on 6584 7444 or email nsw.midnorthcoast@alzheimers.org.au
The National Dementia Helpline number is on 1800 100 500.
