Guests at the opening of an art exhibition in Armidale on Friday by Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay were left in no doubt that challenging the brain and maintaining good health is the best way to keep dementia at bay.
They also heard that the art program that gives carers of dementia patients some respite and an outlet for their talents will continue for another year through an on-the-spot $3000 donation from Gorm Kirsch, Managing Director of the Home Nursing Group.
This year’s exhibition in the Armidale Dumaresq Council foyer, sponsored by Inner Wheel, will continue until Friday to mark Dementia Awareness Week.
“This art program has been so popular and, to have certainty that it can be run again next year will be a relief to all involved,” Mr Torbay said.
“Gorm’s gesture coming out of the blue, as it did, certainly hit the right note.”
The MP said an estimated 95,000 people were living with dementia in NSW and that number was predicted to jump almost 50 per cent by 2020.
“Although there is no cure in sight, there is evidence that staying fit and healthy, maintaining an active social life and challenging the brain, contribute to staving it off,” he said.
Local artist Clare Blakester conducted the art program for carers, at sessions each week over three months, where participants were required to complete a work in two hours.
“They concentrated so hard and sometimes did not even stop for a morning tea break,” she said. “Most of them told me it was the only uninterrupted time they had to complete any project.”
Dementia Support Program Manager Sally Henry said the emphasis of the Week’s activities would be on risk reduction, including regular checks on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, keeping body weight down and avoiding smoking.
“The message is to keep building brain capacity,” she said.
“Use the brain like any other muscle, it grows flabby if it is not exercised.”
An information session about dementia, including a talk by Dr Caroline Croft, will be held today Wednesday, September 26 from 10am-12 noon at Kent and Hughes House.
