Dementia Awareness Month
THE Mid North Coast has some of the highest rates of dementia in the state.
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According to statistics commissioned by Alzheimer’s Australia, the Myall Lakes Electorate has the highest rate, with the Port Macquarie electorate coming in at number three (out of the 93 electorates across NSW).
The Myall Lakes electorate takes in the major towns of Forster-Tuncurry and Taree and with the highest number of people living with dementia in NSW the push is on to make the Myall Lakes a dementia friendly community.
Port Macquarie has also been leading the way in creating dementia friendly communities with the creation of a dementia-friendly garden – the first of its kind in Australia.
The Oxley Electorate which takes in the towns of Bellingen, Nambucca and Kempsey is ranked fifth. Explore the figures below:
Coffs Harbour is ranked 27th while the Upper Hunter Electorate which takes in Gloucester is ranked 58th.
All throughout the month of September, Australians are being encouraged to find out more about dementia and the impact on people living with it and their carers and families.
There are a number of events planned across the Mid North Coast including awareness sessions in South West Rocks and Laurieton.
In Port Macquarie on September 20, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW will bring its three-hour, interactive volunteer education workshop to those supporting people in aged care, dementia care, or general community service.
If a medical breakthrough is not found, these numbers are predicted to soar in coming years. Explore the projected figures below:
If you have a personal story of how dementia has impacted you email janine.watson@fairfaxmedia.com.au