Dementia Action Week
Paul HAMER (Box Hill) (10:05): 18 to 24 September is dementia awareness week, and I am pleased to advise the house that my office will be hosting a dementia information forum on Thursday 21 September at Box Hill town hall. Dementia is a serious chronic disease that can involve a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical function. More than 400,000 Australians are living with dementia, and dementia has recently overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading cause of burden of disease and premature death in people aged over 65. The forum will include representatives from Dementia Australia and Umbrella Dementia Cafes as well as world-leading researchers who will give an insight about current advances in research, early detection and treatment. The forum is open to all, and I invite all those interested to contact my office.