There were 3,635 recorded cases of dementia among Sutherland Shire residents in 2016 and in 30 years this number is expected to increase to 8,562.
Dementia is the greatest cause of disability in older Australians today, according to Alzheimer’s Australia.
Maintaining a healthy brain is crucial to remaining well, active and independent.
Sutherland Shire Council has joined forces with Alzheimer’s Australia to host the ‘Maintain Your Brain’ seminar, to explore the latest research on dementia and give tips and tricks to maintain a healthy brain.
The ‘Maintain Your Brain’ seminar will also explore prevention, treatment and services, as well as a personal account of experiencing dementia, before they participate in some fun and simple brain training activities that will maintain and keep the brain active.
Guest speakers will be Sladana Pavkovic, Dementia Advisor Alzheimer’s Australia; Dr Nyein Nyein Nyi Nyi, Geriatrician, Southcare; Dr Catriona Ireland, Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic, Sydney University: Kylie Radford, Neuroscience Research Australia; and Elaine Reynolds who will speak about the personal experience of dementia.
“Every day 244 new cases of dementia are diagnosed. With an ageing population, cases of dementia are going to increase significantly,” Dementia Advisor at Alzheimer’s Australia, Sladana Pavkovic said.
“People need to know about dementia, how they can reduce their risk of getting dementia and what dementia treatment and support is available in the local community,” Mrs Pavkovic said.
Unfortunately there is no cure for dementia so it’s important to do all that we can to reduce the risk and delay its onset, Southcare Geriatrician Dr Nyi Nyi said.
“Dementia often develops slowly but needs to be diagnosed promptly as early intervention and planning can greatly help patients and families,” said Dr Nyi Nyi, Geriatrician at Southcare.
Sutherland Shire Council’s Ageing Well Strategy plans for the needs of our ageing population in the Sutherland Shire.
For more information on healthy active ageing visit:www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au
Maintain Your Brain - Dementia Seminar
When: 9.30am - 12.30pm, Thursday, September 21
Location: Gymea
RVSP Online: www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/dementia or phone 9710 0333
RSVP essential. Limited places available.
