This month, Queensland will be having its first Alzheimer’s Australia Fundraising event. Being held on Sunday 25th September it will coincide with Dementia Awareness Week (16th-26th September).
An estimated 269,000 Australians currently live with dementia. Without a major medical breakthrough, that is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. Each week, there are 1,500 new cases of dementia in Australia. That is expected to grow to 7,400 new cases each week by 2050. There are approximately 16,000 people in Australia with Younger Onset Dementia (a diagnosis of dementia under the age of 65). Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, after heart disease and stroke.
And you can help in a local and fun way. Afternoon Rock is a rock n roll / rockabilly themed fundraising event being held at the Brisbane Abruzzo Club in Carina on Sunday 25th September. It’s only $10 a ticket ($15 at the door) and there’s going to be raffles, a silent auction and lots more.
The event is hosted by Special Care Clothing Solutions. And we, Carindale Connect, are proud to be providing support and were surprised to discover that Queensland has not held an Alzheimer’s Australia fundraising event before. Ex-Masterchef contestant Danielle Dixon has donated a dinner party for 6 which also includes a masterchef-style demo of one of the dishes. Other supporters include Cr Adrian Schrinner (Brisbane’s Deputy Lord Mayor), Breakaways Rock n Roll Club and Fernwood Fitness Carindale.
More information and book your ticket now.
FIFTY PERCENT OF DEMENTIA CASES GO UNDIAGNOSED
(Alzheimer’s Australia media release 13th September 2011):
A major report by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) prepared by the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London has found that in high income countries only 20-50% of people living with dementia are recognised and documented in primary care.
The authors say that this greatly limits access to valuable information, treatment, care and support.
The report concludes that every country should have a national dementia strategy that promotes early diagnosis and intervention. Continue reading »