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Dementia Australia and Dementia Alliance International to globally champion rights of people living with dementia

Press release November 29, 2018 Dementia MoU Health

Dementia Australia has formalised its relationship with Dementia Alliance International and today signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe said the MOU recognises both organisations are aligned in their purpose to promote awareness and understanding of dementia and to advocate for the autonomy, independence and human rights of people living with dementia.

"We share a commitment and vision for a world where people living with dementia are valued, included and receive the care and support they choose," Ms McCabe said.

Dementia Alliance International Chair, CEO and Co-founder, Kate Swaffer said the organisations would advocate together to expand the awareness and understanding of dementia across the aged care, disability and health care sectors in Australia and on the world stage.

"Together we will liaise on global dementia policy issues, to ensure our policies and programs are aligned to the WHO Global Dementia Action Plan" Ms Swaffer said.

Dementia Alliance International is the peak organisation with membership exclusively for people with a medically confirmed diagnosis of any type of dementia from all around the world.

"As the global voice of dementiaDementia Alliance International provides a platform for the many people living with dementia who are capable of representing themselves, or speaking up for those who are no longer able to," Ms Swaffer said.

"We have members in 48 countries, and self-advocacy is becoming a strong focus, where we work with members of Alzheimer’s Disease International, such as Dementia Australia, to empower others to have a voice."

Worldwide it is estimated there are 50 million people living with dementia. This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 131.5 million in 2050.

"According to Alzheimer’s Disease International research, someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds," Ms Swaffer said.

Dementia Australia is the national peak body and charity for people of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. Dementia Alliance International is a registered charity in the USA, and the global voice of dementia.

"Dementia Australia is the first national dementia association to partner with us, and DAI is very proud to be more formally working with them," Ms Swaffer said.

"It is a natural fit for the two peak bodies to work together to promote awareness and understanding of dementia," Ms McCabe said.

For further information visit the Dementia Australia website at www.dementia.org.au or Dementia Alliance International at https://www.infodai.org.

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Dementia MoU Health