PRACTICAL approaches are making a massive difference in how this community views dementia as a rising social and health issue, a Ballarat advocate for the disease says.
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Dementia Alliance's Anne Tudor said grassroots action and initiative has been pivotal in changing Ballarat attitudes and breaking the stigma on such a prevalent condition.
Ms Tudor said community passion and support had been key to Ballarat securing a Dementia Australia Memory Walk and Jog event, to be led by long-time ambassador Ita Buttrose on Sunday.
This builds on the momentum of Ballarat's Brittany Rose, who organised a do-it-yourself memory walk in tribute to her grandfather by Lake Wendouree last year.
Ms Tudor said Sunday was a major Dementia Australia fundraiser but was also a great chance to showcase the work and support available in Ballarat - most started by people creating opportunities based on their own experience with loved ones.
"To me, it feels we're harvesting all the good work a lot of people have put in over a long period of time in Ballarat, like (geriatrician) Mark Yates," Ms Tudor said.
"We've got two young, enthusiastic and gifted women in Brittany and Meg (Curnow) doing practical things to help carers and people with dementia to form a network. Nick (Locandro) is doing his rides for awareness...I love the fact so many more people are showing interest and getting practically involved."
I love the fact so many more people are showing interest and getting practically involved.
- Anne Tudor
One in 58 people have dementia in Australia. One person is diagnosed with dementia every three seconds somewhere in the world.
Ms Tudor said Ballarat was not immune.
Bigger Hearts, a project led by Ms Tudor and her partner Edie Mayhew, launched in August 2016 as a campaign to raise awareness for more patience and kindness for people living with dementia when in shops and cafes about Ballarat. They drew on their experience after MsMayhew was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
Ballarat's Dementia Alliance was launched in July 2017 and has been instrumental in creating the state's first dementia-friendly trail, set to open later this year, in Woowookarung Park.
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