Dementia Australia has unveiled a free Community Education Toolkit aimed at empowering communities to raise awareness and reduce the impact of dementia. Designed for community groups and organisations, the toolkit offers a comprehensive approach to self-delivering educational sessions about brain health and dementia.
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, stressed the need for such resources, citing research* that shows two in three Australians know little about dementia, despite it being the leading cause of death for women and the second overall in the country. With dementia cases expected to rise from 421,000 to 812,500 by 2054, the toolkit is a timely intervention.
Ambassadors, including comedian Geraldine Hickey and actress Jessica Redmayne, support the toolkit, which includes personal stories, expert clinical input, and interactive activities tailored to diverse communities. It is accessible nationwide and offers videos and educational materials designed to foster greater understanding and support for those living with dementia.
“By sharing my story, I hope to show others impacted by dementia that they are not alone.”
Ms Redmayne who cared for her mother who had younger onset dementia.
This initiative is funded by The Lionel & Yvonne Spencer Trust and aims to reach communities across Australia. The toolkit is available at dementia.org.au/community-education-toolkit
*Dementia Australia Report, Ipsos June 2024. Unpublished. p.9
