The theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week is to “act now for a dementia friendly future”.
It is a goal that Redland City Council has been actively pursuing for many years now through both on-the-ground support and by incorporating it in Council’s strategies and action plans.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said Council was committed to becoming a dementia-friendly council.
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“It is about recognising the importance of supporting individuals living with dementia, and their families, and creating an inclusive and supportive community,” the Mayor said.
“To that extent, Council’s Age-Friendly Action Plan and Stronger Communities Strategy were developed to help create a community that is more inclusive, and can positively influence the health, wellbeing and happiness of all residents.
“As well as our strategies and action plans, Council also supports local groups and organisations where possible on a very grass-roots level.
“This year’s theme for Dementia Action Week is all about taking action to tap into that strength of community to make sure we all have awareness of dementia and that we all are prepared to be supportive.”
The week – running from 16 to 22 September – includes World Alzheimer’s Day on Saturday 21 September and aims to raise awareness through an advocacy campaign led by Dementia Australia.
As a lead-in to the week, the Sing Sing Sing choirs from Cleveland and Bulimba combined for a sold-out concert on Saturday 14 September at Council’s Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC).
Sing Sing Sing joined RPAC as a Resident Company at the start of the year. The group brings together those living with dementia and their care partners and supporters, to create memories through the power of music.
The Mayor said the statistics around dementia for Redlands Coast were confronting.
Redlands Coast ranks No.7 out of the 77 local government areas (LGA) in Queensland in terms of the highest number of people living with a formal dementia diagnosis.
The Dementia Prevalence Data 2024-2054 report, using research undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2023 as commissioned by Dementia Australia, recorded 3176 people living with the diagnosis on Redlands Coast.
This figure represents a shade under 2 per cent of the city’s approximate population of 160,000. By comparison, Brisbane city, ranked at No.1, had 16,941 diagnoses, equating to 1.3 per cent of the LGA population.
The report says the prevalence figure of 3176 for Redlands Coast is projected to increase by 102 per cent by 2054 to 6413.
“It is a significant part of our community, more so than many other areas in Queensland,” the Mayor said.
“That is why Council encourages everyone in the community to foster connections, promote wellbeing, and create a supportive environment.
“An example of this is how our libraries are providing a welcoming space for people of all ages and abilities.
“In planning their spaces, programs and outreach, the library teams take special consideration for our community members living with dementia and their caregivers.
“Easy-to-read clocks are located prominently in each library branch. They are specially designed for people living with dementia and cognitive and visual impairments to help reduce confusion and anxiety.”
Council has also made its Cleveland Library more dementia-friendly through the installation of a Tovertafel, or “magic table”, the Mayor said.
“The Tovertafel is a ceiling-mounted device that projects interactive games and activities on to a table, specifically designed for people with dementia but also beneficial for individuals with learning difficulties and neurodiversity,” she said.
Engaging with the Tovertafel offers social, sensory, cognitive, and physical benefits.
Redlands Coast Dementia Action Week events:
- Friday 20 September, 10am: A special health chat facilitated by Dementia Australia will be hosted at Cleveland Library. During this free event, attendees will learn about dementia types, pick up helpful tips for holistic care and find out how to access the best support for themselves and their loved ones. Bookings are required: https://bit.ly/4dt3ftw
- Sunday 22 September, 7am to 3.30pm: Redlands Coast Dementia Community (RCDC) will be running the sausage sizzle at Bunnings Capalaba. RCDC run regular social events, to support people living with dementia and their carers, and to promote the dementia-friendly community message.
