Community attitudes towards dementia need to change so sufferers can lead better lives, Alzheimer's Australia has said.
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The condition carries a stigma and many Australians are under the false impression that sufferers cannot hold a meaningful conversation. About 11 per cent of people questioned in a survey said they would avoid spending time with a person they knew had dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting up to 70 per cent of all people with dementia.
Gungahlin man Tim Wylks said his father, Chris, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008 at the age of 56. His father was a teacher and he started to have difficulty remembering things at work, which led to him leaving his job. He died in May, 2014.
"A lot of people think it's an old person's disease, but my dad wasn't old," Mr Wylks said.
"The messaging doesn't seem to be as strong around this disease as with others. It's especially important when people are diagnosed quite young they don't detach themselves from life but they stay active in the community."
Alzheimer's Australia has used World Alzheimer's Day (Sunday) to highlight its campaign for Australia to introduce dementia-friendly workplaces and communities.
Chairwoman of the dementia advisory committee at Alzheimer's Australia, Kate Swaffer, said that for centuries people with dementia had been hidden away.
"We understand now that dementia is a chronic disease like any other and not simply the outcome of ageing," she said. "To the contrary, dementia develops decades before first symptoms appear, but these new insights have yet to reduce the stigma and social isolation that a diagnosis of dementia often brings.
"A dementia-friendly community will recognise the need for a person with dementia to continue their life and to participate in the community in activities they enjoy, whether through employment, volunteering or social activities."
Mr Wylks said greater public awareness of Alzheimer's disease would help the community transition to being dementia friendly. "We [as a family] did not know about this disease enough at the start," he said. "Dad tried to put on a brave face. I think increased awareness would help make the community a more friendly place and an easier place to live for people with the condition.
"Even things like additional signage in toilets would be helpful."