Dora Mansbridge

This dementia action week (16-22 September), our local health service encourages everyone to take the first step to learn more about dementia and how you can help shape our communities for the better.

Dementia is a brain condition. It’s not a normal part of ageing. The effects of dementia vary, but generally, dementia affects your mood, memory, thinking and behaviour. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is much more common after the age of 65.

There’s currently no known cure for dementia, but there are treatments for many of the symptoms, and support is available. Central Highlands Rural Health provides services for people diagnosed with dementia that promote independence and well-being including:

Treehouse

Our Treehouse programs in Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham allow people with dementia to socialise and maintain social and community connections in a positive, safe environment while providing carers with some time out.

Dementia Carers Support Group

We offer a Dementia Carers Support Group on the first Tuesday of every month in Daylesford . The group is a safe and supportive place to meet with others caring for someone with memory loss or a diagnosis of dementia.

Treehouse4Two

A three-day retreat program for people recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers to connect, learn, and find comfort in the company of others on a similar journey. Local people who have attended a Treehouse4Two program found it very helpful.

At the retreats, learning about dementia goes both ways. Participants living with dementia at Treehouse4Two retreats taught CHRH staff and carers:

“Talk to us as well as to our carer.”

“We have questions too. Give us time/opportunity to ask.”

“We are not our diagnosis.”

“Be ‘present’- it’s not just the words you say but how you make us feel.”

For more information about any of these local support programs, visit the CHRH dementia web page at www.chrh.org.au/services/dementia

To learn about dementia and how you can help, visit the Dementia Action Week site at https://www.dementia.org.au/get-involved/dementia-action-week

Dora Mansbridge is the Manager of Social Support and Treehouse Programs at Central Highlands Rural Health.