Aged Care Online

Find an aged care home for you!
Call My Care Path on 1300 197 230

People with dementia the loneliest people in Australia

on Thursday, September 1, 2016

People with dementia are almost twice as likely to have high rates of loneliness compared to the general public, a new survey has found, and people with dementia and carers are significantly more lonely than the general public.

The research, released today marking the beginning of Dementia Awareness Month, has sparked calls for greater awareness and understanding of dementia by the general public so people living with the condition feel less isolated and alone.

Alzheimer’s Australia National CEO, Maree McCabe said the results of the survey, sadly, were not a surprise and highlighted the distress that impacts people living with dementia and their families and carers.

“This research backs up what we are told repeatedly by our clients, which is that when they received a diagnosis of dementia, friendships and some family relationships suddenly fell away,” Ms McCabe said.

“We believe a large part of that is because of the general lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, people simply don’t know how to interact with their friend or loved one with dementia.

“Treating people with the same respect, kindness, inclusiveness and thoughtfulness you always have is what makes a difference to them. They are still the same person – your parent, sibling, partner, relative, friend – as they were before the diagnosis. They just may need a little bit more time, understanding and support.”

More than 1,500 people took part in the survey, including people with dementia, carers and members of the general public.

The survey also found that people with dementia report significantly fewer relationships than carers, who in turn have significantly fewer relationships than the general public. This was mainly due to friendships falling away, often leading to the experience of being socially isolated.

As well, people with dementia are more than twice as likely not to see any friends when compared with carers and the general public, were more than three times as likely not to have a confidant and were almost three times as likely not to have a friend to call on for help when compared with the general public.

“These results really are concerning and they speak to the loneliness that, astoundingly, is so prevalent when it comes to dementia,” Ms McCabe said.

“A diagnosis of dementia does not define a person. They are still the same person they have always been, and need to be valued and treated as such. We, as a community, need to improve our understanding of dementia and start to treat people with the condition with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Conducted by Alzheimer’s Australia, the survey has been released to coincide with Dementia Awareness Month 2016, which starts today and runs throughout September.

This year’s Dementia Awareness Month theme is You are not alone, and people with dementia and carers are being encouraged to reach out for support either by calling Alzheimer’s Australia on the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or heading to fightdementia.org.au.

Members of the general public are also being urged to find out more about dementia and increase their awareness and understanding of the condition.

“There are more than 353,800 Australians with dementia and an estimated 1.2 million people involved in the care of someone with dementia,” Ms McCabe said.

“People with dementia, or people who are caring for someone with dementia, are not alone. There are hundreds and thousands of other people who are dealing with the same challenges, and there are people who are there to help.”

Dementia Awareness Month runs throughout September and this year’s theme is You are not alone. World Alzheimer’s Day is on Wednesday 21 September 2016. Dementia Awareness Month 2016 is supported by financial assistance from the Australian Government.

For tips in how to stay connected to a person living with dementia, head to:
fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia/resources/family-and-friends-matter

Banner