Dementia Awareness

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (15:33): I rise to speak about one of the largest health and social challenges facing Australia and the world. I was alarmed to learn recently that dementia is the second leading cause of death for Australians and the leading cause of death for women. Dementia is still poorly understood in Australia, and people living with dementia continue to experience stigma and discrimination.

I was particularly proud to have been asked by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton, to take on the role of government's parliamentary co-convenor for Dementia Australia. I thank the minister for this opportunity and look forward to advocating for those living with dementia over the coming years.

Dementia Australia is the national peak body for all people living with dementia along with their carers and their families. I recently caught up with National General Manager Christine Bolt to discuss what they do and how I can best support their efforts. They support and empower the estimated half a million Australians living with dementia and almost 1.6 million people involved in their care. They are a source of trusted information, education and support, and they support vital research.

Dementia is the term we use to describe the symptoms of a large group of neurocognitive disorders which cause a progressive decline in a person's cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering and reasoning—to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. For anyone who has had a family member experience these symptoms, which is most of us, it is heartbreaking and extremely difficult.

I remember when my grandmother, Mama, had progressed to the point that she did not recognise any of us, including my grandfather, Papa. I went to the nursing home with Papa to visit her and he explained to me that he felt like he had lost her years ago but had not been allowed to grieve. It was upsetting for him to visit her, knowing that she had no idea that he was there. My grandmother on my father's side, my grandmère, also suffered with dementia symptoms, and I watched my father's frustration and absolute heartbreak as he watched his mother's spark slowly slip away.

It is hard on families and hard on carers, and it is important to point out that dementia does not discriminate by age. While the risks of dementia increase with age, younger onset dementia is still a reality to many South Australians, including children and children in my own electorate of Davenport.

Whilst there is no cure for dementia yet, it is why it is so important that we commit to developing dementia-friendly communities. This is a community where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. These communities recognise the rights and capabilities of people with dementia and empower them to make decisions about their lives according to their individual capabilities. A community that is dementia-friendly is simply a community that is good for everyone.

It is worth highlighting our government's commitment to continuing to provide specialised dementia services at the Repat which continues to provide care to patients with complex dementia. As part of our government's $400 million investment into Flinders, we have been able to allocate 26 beds at the Repat to expand the geriatric evaluation and management beds across the South Australian local health network.

I would like to recognise the ongoing care and contribution of families, carers and support networks who are continuing to care for South Australians living with dementia of varying degrees. We know that the ongoing support of these support networks is essential in caring and assisting South Australians living with dementia. Our research community also deserves recognition for its ongoing work to better understand, prevent and treat dementia. Health and medical research into neurodegenerative diseases will go a long way towards finding a long-term treatment.

We all know someone who has been impacted by dementia. I am calling on all members of parliament to agree to becoming Dementia Friends and championing dementia-friendly communities in their electorates and throughout parliament. I am looking forward to working with other members of parliament and community leaders to identify what we can all do to inspire and support the creation of dementia-friendly communities.