ADVERTORIAL: National Dementia Action Week
During Dementia Action Week, health professionals are working to dispel the myth that memory loss is a normal part of aging. The campaign encourages people to consult doctors early if they notice cognitive changes to reduce stigma and improve care outcomes.
Why it matters
Early detection and open conversation are critical for managing dementia, which is a leading cause of death in Australia.
Facebook X (Twitter) Seeing your doctor doesn’t mean you have dementia. It means you’re starting an important conversation. Photo: Bronte Tamblyn. DURING Dementia Action Week, organisers and health professionals are keen to bust one of the biggest fallacies – that memory loss is simply a part of getting older.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) president Dr Rod Martin says people should not wait until they are certain something is wrong before seeking advice.
“Changes in memory or thinking can be confronting, and it can be tempting to put them down to getting older or avoid talking about them altogether,” Dr Martin says.
“But dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and there can be many reasons why someone’s memory, thinking or behaviour changes.
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