When musician Dianne Regan posted a heartwarming video of her mum, Gennie Chandler, of Sylvania singing on Facebook, little did she know what a phenomenal response would follow.
The Sutherland Shire singer's mother, 83, has vascular Alzheimer's, the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. But it is the power of music that has made a world of difference in her daily life.
It is Dementia Action Week in Australia (September 16-22) and World Alzheimer's Day (September 21).
Ms Regan, a singer and director of DJS Music Group, filmed her mum's reactions to hearing a familiar and much-loved song, Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler.
"It's a special song to both of us," Ms Regan said. "Every time I sing it, I cry. Beaches was always a movie we watched together. My mum is my hero. You can see mum's eyes light up when she hears it. I just couldn't believe she remembered all the words when I started singing it. Dementia takes away so much, but it doesn't take away the music. For a certain amount of time, they snap back."
The video got more than 800 likes, more than 100 shares and hundreds of comments.
"It's great because it is creating more awareness," Ms Regan said. "This is important because the condition is an epidemic. It's like diabetes of the brain. Losing your memory is the worst thing you could wish upon someone."
Her mother was diagnosed three years ago. She lives with Ms Regan and has a carer. She is also the grandmother of well-known fellow shire performer, DJ Jazzy.
"Our family is very heavily involved in music," the ARIA nominated music industry expert said. "Mum goes to all her shows. I've been gigging since age 17 and Jazzy followed in my footsteps.
"Mum's memory has actually gotten better. Music is one of the things that has kept her brain functioning. We treat her as a normal person and that's key to keeping her happy. She won't be cured but we've been able to stop the terrible side of things like being fearful. She's lucky in that she still knows who I am, she still goes to the bank and to the club, bakes scones in her social group. I have a passion for making sure elderly people don't become disposable. It is our responsibility to take care of them."
Without a medical breakthrough, it is predicted that more than 1.1 million Australians will be living with dementia by 2056.
The federal government recently announced $12 million for dementia research, to focus on risk reduction, prevention and tracking of the condition, which is Australia's second leading cause of death.
This brings the total investment under the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Boosting Dementia Research Grant scheme to $200 million.
One of the projects funded will provide a way to monitor dementia and its risk factors, resulting in the better management and treatment of the condition.
"The need for investment in research to develop new treatments and to improve dementia care is evident," health minister Greg Hunt said.
"We're committed to ensuring Australians of all ages have access to the support they need to face life's challenges."