Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader (Tasmania)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Hinch, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) September is Dementia Awareness Month,

  (ii) the theme for 2018 is 'Small actions. Big difference' which highlights the small actions people can take to make a big difference for someone living with dementia, their families and carers,

  (iii) dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women, and will be the leading cause of all deaths in Australia within the next five years, and

  (iv) there are an estimated 425 416 Australians currently living with dementia and around 250 people are diagnosed each day;

(b) acknowledges:

  (i) Dementia Australia's Dementia Friends program, which is already transforming the way we think, act and talk about dementia, and

  (ii) the thousands of Australians, including dementia ambassadors, politicians, businesses, communities and individuals who have already signed up to be a Dementia Friend; and

(c) urges all levels of government to:

  (i) take action to raise awareness of dementia so that people living with dementia remain included, accepted and connected within their own community, and

  (ii) encourage those in their communities to pledge their support by becoming a Dementia Friend.

Question agreed to.