Dementia Doulas Australia to launch with a picnic
Support for families living with dementia arrives with a new not-for-profit
Dementia Doulas International is launching its not-for-profit organisation Dementia Doulas Australia on Thursday 10 October with a themed picnic entitled, A Picnic to Remember.
As part of a new national initiative, Dementia Doulas Australia aims to eliminate social isolation by creating a community-centred support network that enables families to access the help of a dementia doula throughout the dementia trajectory.
Wendy Hall, Managing Director of Dementia Doulas International, tells Australian Ageing Agenda that with 70 per cent of people with dementia living within the community, the role of a dementia doula will be integral to connecting families dealing with the effects of the disease to resources and neighbours in order to “stay in control” of the way “things are going to head” for their family.
“I see dementia as something that sucks families into its world and suddenly dictates and takes over,” Ms Hall said.
“As dementia doulas, we want to build community around the families so that they can go back to living the life that they so often have to leave behind and that can only happen with a dementia doula by their side.”
Dementia doula Leah Keating told AAA that she hopes the community picnic will help to gain the not-for-profit the recognition and funding that it deserves to support families all over Australia.
“Whatever it is, when someone rings someone for help, they need it now. They can’t have it in, two weeks, five weeks, 10 weeks’ time. They need support now,” says Ms Keating.
“It is a hard gig, you know, being a dementia support is not for everyone and not everyone wants to do this sort of work but that’s why we need more dementia doulas.”
Ms Keating says that in her new role as a dementia doula she is simply trying to “spread the love” and “awareness” in order to take the stigma away from the word dementia.
“I hope people start to understand what it is and how they can support their friends, their neighbours. A lot of people are downsizing, moving into communities or retirement villages and I want to say, ‘it’s okay to look out for your neighbour.’”
Dementia Doulas Australia’s Adelaide launch will take place between 6-9pm with drinks and nibbles available plus guest speaker appearances from Psychiatrist Dr Duncan McKellar and Annie Harvey from The Still Effect.
Ms Hall tells AAA that the future of Dementia Doulas Australia will continue to remain family focused.
“It’s so important and the basis of everything that we do as dementia doulas,” said Ms Hall.
“We don’t just want to support families moving forward. We want to enable them and empower them to be able to effectively put them back in the driver’s seat.”
To purchase live tickets click here
To attend online, click here
Donations can be made here
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