DEMENTIA care services in Port Macquarie have received a much-needed $10,000 funding boost from the State Government.
The Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, John Ajaka, announced the funding during a visit to the town on Friday, when he met with members of the Port Macquarie Dementia Project Group.
“Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians aged 65 years and older and given that our population is ageing it makes sense that our communities have a greater understanding of the disease,” Mr Ajaka said.
“The Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams, is a passionate advocate for people living with dementia and trying to make Port Macquarie the first dementia-friendly community in Australia, and I fully support and thank her for her efforts.”
The Port Macquarie Dementia Project Group will use the funding to research how Port Macquarie, as one of the state’s most desirable places to retire, can better cater for people who are affected by dementia.
More than 84,000 people are currently living with dementia in NSW and this is estimated to rise to 341,000 by 2050, with Port Macquarie among the regions to be most affected because of the high number of retired people who live here.
The research will be conducted by Southern Cross University and will explore design options to ensure public places and residences are more accessible and safe.
The Regional Director of Alzheimer’s Australia, Gary Thomas, said the Port Macquarie Dementia Project Group has the support of Alzheimer’s Australia, Hastings District Respite Care and interested community representatives.
“The community also has a role in helping people with dementia feel connected with each other and so much of that comes from people being able to identify it when they encounter someone who has it,” he said.
“We want to combat negative attitudes towards dementia and promote greater inclusion which could be through walking groups, choirs, school programs, workplace engagement and the use of technology.”
One of the key highlights in the NSW Ageing Strategy, now in its second year is for the establishment of age-friendly communities.To view the strategy visit www.ageing.nsw.gov.au
