'Insight' on SBS ONE: 'Dancing with Dementia'

In a special edition of 'Insight' tonight, the program is set to explore the number of Australians living with dementia - that figure is set to soar in the coming years.

As the group gets larger many people with dementia are finding their own way through memory loss, determined to let their own personalities shine through.

They are fighting what is now Australia’s second biggest killer, ahead of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, recent ABS data shows. (At the time of writing my book 'The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook' in 2013 and 2014, it was the third biggest killer). 

This week, 'Insight' hears powerful stories of sacrifice and success from people living with dementia, and the families that support them.

The program asks whether it is possible to lead a normal life with dementia and hears how humour could help balance out the despair of living with this debilitating brain disorder.

Guests include:

Elmer and Joan Anderson
Elmer: "Between the doctors, Joan and myself, we decided that, yes, I would go to a facility when they felt it was necessary so that I wouldn't harm my dear wife ... And that is exactly what happened, I had an episode, we went to the doctors and he said ‘it's time’."
Joan: "Our relationship's an awful lot better because now Elmer seems to have accepted what's going on and so because of that, the anger is not there as much and he is ... a much nicer person."

Doris Younane
"I mean the behaviour changes every day and mum went through some very, very aggressive, difficult times, but we just kept role playing, playing with her. So that we took the sort of anxiety out of mum, I suppose."

Alzheimer's Australia NSW's ambassadors - PJ Lane, Ita Buttrose and Doris Younane

Ray Morgan
"I find with dementia, anything you can enjoy helps you with the condition."

Graeme Samuel
"It is so, so fundamental now that we show people in the community what it is that dementia is really all about and importantly what it's not about. That people can live in the community and be very productive members of the community for so many more years and that you shouldn't actually fear someone having dementia or look at them with any sense of disassociation or stigma such as poor mum had to endure when she, you know, was diagnosed and when she started to show the symptoms."

Alzheimer's Australia's Graeme Samuel AC - the National President of the organisation

Insight is hosted by Gold Walkley Award-winning journalist Jenny Brockie and airs every Tuesday at 8.30pm on SBS ONE.

See: www.sbs.com.au/insight

Twitter.com/jenbrockie

Twitter: #InsightSBS

Facebook.com/InsightSBS

James Brown Interview with Richard Wilkins: Today show - Golden Globes win for 'Still Alice'

This could be my fave segment from the Today show so far.

Julianne Moore (below) has just won a Golden Globe for her role in the movie 'Still Alice', about a woman who is diagnosed with early onset dementia.

And Nine Network Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins interviewed the Australian producer behind the movie, James Brown (above; I know, cool name). He was an Australian movie reviewer for radio show duo Kyle and Jackie O, and now finds himself a Golden Globe winner for this set-to-be released movie (due for Australian release on January 29, 2015).

And so I love that Richard took the time to speak to James the very next morning, because yes… this is BIG.

Not only is an Australian being honoured on an international platform, but early onset dementia is squarely under the spotlight, as it should be.

I really love the questions Richard asks James, and James's replies are just fantastic - their easy, genuine rapport elicits the best from James, and come Oscar time, I hope Julianne Moore wins and the movie receives even more recognition.

This will mean that more and more people will talk about dementia and early onset dementia. I agree with all that James says in the interview - awareness needs to be raised.

Considering - as I write in my book 'The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook', about being a carer and carers from all walks of life - dementia is AUSTRALIA'S THIRD BIGGEST KILLER (yes, I will continue to put that in caps until the whole world starts to really listen and Australian media gives this plight and the story of carers who care for those with dementia the press it deserves), this movie is an absolute godsend.

And interviews like this one go a long way in opening up the dialogue about dementia, across all ages and stages of life.

Watch the whole segment here.

Christine Bryden on Today show - Early Onset Dementia: VIDEO

I watched this segment this morning on the Weekend Today show (in Australia) with much interest, especially given my mum passed away from dementia and other complications, as well as seeing the journey of someone dear to me going through early onset dementia.

And, as is captioned by this video upload on Nine's Jump-in platform: dementia is set to impact an increasing number of Australians, with 320,000 people currently living with this condition.

Watch as Christine Bryden and her husband Paul talk about Christine's dementia diagnosis at a young age, and how she and her husband have managed the diagnosis for over two decades. Yes, over 20 years.

Says Paul: 

"Family helps facilitate social presence. Never speak in third person about them... they are listening".

To watch the whole clip, click right here.

And to read more about Christine, click on her site here.

Dementia Awareness Month, Alzheimer’s Australia: 'The Unspoken Impact of Dementia (every Australian should see this)' - VIDEO

In line with Dementia Awareness Month, and Alzheimer’s Australia has launched this video, with the focus on being 'dementia friendly.'

Here is the most poignant line which resonated the most with me.

"Dementia is fatal. And if more people realised that perhaps there wouldn't be as many jokes about it," says Graeme, who has early onset dementia.

Here is the accompanying YouTube description for the video:

Find out what you can do to help create a dementia-friendly Australia. Visit: www.dementiafriendly.org.au

THE UNSPOKEN IMPACT OF DEMENTIA
Many Australians mistakenly think the symptoms of dementia are a normal part of ageing.

Dementia is caused by diseases that damage the brain. It is not a normal part of ageing. And it can happen to anybody.

Glenda, Keith and Graeme are Aussies in their 50s and 60s living with dementia in Australia. Here they share their experiences of living with dementia, the stigma that they’ve experienced as a result of their diagnosis, and their views on the small things people can do to help create a dementia-friendly nation.

SMALL ACTIONS COUNT
Alzheimer’s Australia has a vision to create a dementia-friendly nation, a place where people living with dementia are supported to live a high quality of life with meaning, purpose and value.

To do that, we need to end dementia stigma. A crucial first step is for people to become dementia-aware and understand what it is like to live with dementia.

You can start by watching and sharing this video.

You can also visit the Alzheimer's Australia website: http://www.dementiafriendly.org.au/

SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT DEMENTIA
Many Australians know very little about what dementia is or how it develops.

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. It is not one specific disease – there are many types of dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease).

Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with the person’s normal social or working life.

Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65 years. People in their 40s and 50s can also have dementia. Most people with dementia are older, but it is important to remember that not all older people get dementia. It is not a normal part of ageing.

KEY STATISTICS
• There are more than 332,000 Australians living with dementia

• This number is expected to increase by one third to 400,000 in less than ten years

• Each week, there are more than 1,700 new cases of dementia in Australia; approx. one person every 6 minutes. This is expected to grow to 7,400 new cases each week by 2050

• Many people with dementia and their family and carers experience loneliness and social isolation after their diagnosis

• If diagnosed with dementia, 60% of Australians say they would experience feelings of shame

• People living with dementia often struggle to engage in their local communities because of limited community understanding of dementia

Produced by Alucinor Productions
http://www.alucinorproductions.com

Song 'Closer' by 'Stray Theories' from https://www.themusicbed.com/songs/closer/6571

Watch the video here: