Dementia affects people in different ways … and with nearly half a million Australians living with dementia – a number expected to more than double by 2065 – chances are we all know someone who has been impacted by the condition.

You may have noticed the early signs of dementia in a friend or loved one. Were they forgetting to eat… bathe… or do the washing? Or were they repeatedly forgetting what they were intending to do, like go to the shops, or meet up with friends? Sometimes the signs are more difficult to pinpoint, just a general feeling that something isn’t quite right.

The World Health Organization defines dementia as “a syndrome that can be caused by a number of diseases which over time destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, typically leading to deterioration in cognitive function.” Deterioration can be accompanied by changes in mood, emotional control, behaviour or motivation. A person’s communication skills, personality, sensory perception and ability to problem solve can also be affected.

There is no known cure.

Dementia Action Week’s theme for 2025, ‘Nobody can do it alone’ is a powerful message highlighting the role of the community in building awareness, understanding the condition and providing support for those living with dementia, their carers, loved ones and friends.