A GROUP OFFERING SUPPORT, HELP AND ADVICE TO PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS.

The thing that dismays me the most about the way in which dementia is becoming so ingrained as a major affliction is the downplaying and the overlooking of this disease by governments.

State and territory governments seem to be saying the issue isn’t their problem because it falls within the Commonwealth’s funding basket.

The challenges and frustrations people experience, and the lack of government proactivity, convince me that dementia has been assigned to the ‘too hard basket’.

I am trying to raise the issue within the NT in a way that illuminates dementia to the status of awareness that would occupy government thinking.

I have written letters to the Newsoaper, raised the issue on the radio talkback (Mix 104.9), and written to all members of our NT Legislative Assembly on dementia issues.

I have thanked those who have been able to secure small wins – including the continuation of two nursing positions attached to the NT Memory Clinic, which were slated to be defunded on June 30 but now have funding for an additional 12 months – but do not and will not. shy away from the major issues confronting people living with dementia and their carers.

Thank you, Ms Hart, and those persons involved in establishing this group. It is a blessing to so many and in so many ways.