Dementia figures on the increase

Letter to the editor

New dementia figures for 2016 show more people than ever will be living with the condition this year.

In the Gosford state electorate there is estimated to be 1,600 people living with dementia, which is expected to increase to an estimated 1,750 people by 2020 and 3,400 by 2050. Dementia can be an isolating, confusing, confronting and diffi cult disease to live with. But you are not alone and, with the right support, you can live well with dementia.

We encourage your readers who have a diagnosis of dementia to contact Alzheimer’s Australia NSW on the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. Professional and compassionate staff can talk to you about what is happening, give you advice and strategies for how to manage now and into the future, and can point you in the right direction for further support and other services, all for free. There is also a great new website, Living Well with Dementia, which contains a whole range of information and tips on how to live well with dementia.

Email, Feb 26, 2016 John Watkins, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW