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World Alzheimer's Day puts the focus on the growing number of people developing dementia

Press release September 21, 2018 World Alzheimer’s Day Alzheimer Dementia

For World Alzheimer’s Day Dementia Australia is continuing to collaborate globally to raise awareness about the needs of people living with dementia and of its growing incidence through the #Every3Seconds international campaign.

Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe said the decision by Dementia Australia to partner with 22 other leading dementia organisations in the #Every3Seconds program reflects the importance of dementia in our society.

“The #Every3Seconds program is an international awareness raising campaign led by the global peak body, Alzheimer’s Disease International and drives home the alarming statistic that every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia,” Ms McCabe said.

“This important program highlights that dementia is the global health and social challenge of this century that needs a renewed and sustained focus by governments and communities world-wide.”

So powerful is the #Every3Seconds program that other countries including Israel, Kenya, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand are also taking part to communicate this important message.

Currently it is estimated there are more than 50 million people living with dementia globally. This figure is predicted to increase by 10 million in 2018. With these staggering numbers, program partners will call on communities and governments all over the world to commit to addressing this trillion-dollar disease.

“In Australia more than 436,000 Australians are living with dementia, with an estimated 250 people with dementia joining the population each day,” Ms McCabe said.

“Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to almost 1.1 million in 2056 in Australia.”

The #Every3Seconds program includes a series of 23 news-style films that have been produced through a unique partnership between ITN Productions and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

The films have now been released globally, and in the individual member countries, as part of Dementia Awareness Month.

The films capture stories from the many different dementia organisations around the world, include the voices of people impacted and combined, demonstrate the united commitment to increasing awareness about dementia and important messages that need to resonate globally – that dementia is not a natural part of ageing, but in fact a disease of the brain.

Dementia Australia’s #Every3Seconds film can be viewed at www.dementia.org.au

To view the #Every3Seconds documentary, visit www.alz.co.uk/everythreeseconds

                                                                               -Ends-

Dementia Australia is the national peak body and charity for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 425,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to reach more than 1.1 million by 2056. Dementia Australia is the new voice of Alzheimer’s Australia. Dementia Australia’s services are supported by the Australian Government.

National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500                                                                                                                

Interpreter service available                                                                                                                                               

(The National Dementia Helpline is an Australian Government Initiative)                                                                                                        

Dementia is a National Health Priority Area                                                                               

www.dementia.org.au

Media contacts: John Noble 0407 019 430 [email protected] Christine Bolt 0400 004 553 [email protected]

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia Language Guidelines.

Subjects


World Alzheimer’s Day Alzheimer Dementia