This Dementia Action Week (15–21 September), Australians are being encouraged to do something simple but powerful — reconnect with someone impacted by dementia.
Whether it’s a loved one living with the condition or a carer supporting them, that little act of reaching out can help ease the heavy burden of loneliness so many face.
Sadly, research shows that more than half of carers for people with dementia feel isolated. According to Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan, isolation often stems from friends and family not realising how valuable their support can be.
In heartbreaking findings, four in 10 people living with dementia report that after their diagnosis, friends and family no longer keep in touch the way they once did.
Professor Buchanan said the Dementia Action Week theme, ‘Nobody can do it alone’, highlighted the important role that friends and family members played in supporting those they knew who were impacted by dementia – either living with the condition or caring for someone.
“People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact,” Professor Buchanan said.
“This leads to social isolation, loneliness and a sense of abandonment, especially for carers who are emotionally stretched and often feel alone.”
That’s why Dementia Australia has created simple, practical resources with the help of people living with dementia — so that reaching out feels less daunting.
“It could be as simple as picking up the phone to reconnect or offering to help with everyday tasks,” Professor Buchanan said.
“We have great resources on our website to make it easy for people to reach out and show they care.”
For Dementia Australia Advocate Lil Mirtl, who lives with dementia, the importance of connection cannot be overstated.
“None of us can do this on our own, even if we’d love to be able to do so,” she said.
“As a society, we need to be aware of the needs within our community and be responsive to that.
“We don’t have time to feel uncomfortable or awkward about these conversations about dementia – we need to have them now.
“We’re all connected somehow to this and it’s okay to help, always with respect and with dignity for the person who is living with dementia.
“We have to pull together as a community to do this. We can’t do it alone as individuals, the government can’t do it alone, we need to all act together.”
This call for compassion comes after a recent report revealed that dementia is now the biggest killer of Australians, underscoring the urgent need for action as cases climb.
The findings come from the latest update of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Dementia in Australia report, which paints a confronting picture of the nation’s future health. Without significant intervention, the number of Australians living with dementia is projected to climb past one million by 2065.
Professor Buchanan said the figures highlight just how widespread the impact of dementia has become.
“These figures highlight just how many families are impacted by dementia across Australia. Most of us know someone who is or has been impacted by dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.
The report also uncovered that 43 per cent of dementia cases in Australia can be linked to six modifiable risk factors: being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure in midlife, smoking and impaired kidney function.
Professor Buchanan said these findings further highlight why a national approach is urgently needed.
“With dementia now the leading cause of death for Australians it is more pressing than ever that the federal government commit to funding a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health at all ages,” Professor Buchanan said.
“By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing dementia, we can reduce the impact of dementia into the future. With aged care across the country already under pressure, and the number of people living with dementia expected to exceed 1 million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait. We call on the government to take decisive action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to do this right, and to do it now.”
By reaching out, showing kindness, and working together, we can ensure that no one facing dementia has to do it alone.
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