The Gracie Dixon Centre will be hosting a series of Dementia Café meetings with the aim of supporting community members caring for loved ones with dementia.
The gatherings serve as a relaxed and informal way for community members to socialise and connect with others in a similar situation as well as an opportunity for family, friends and carers of people with dementia to share their experiences and help break down barriers.
The Dementia Café meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of each month until October at a cost of just $5 per person with morning tea provided.
The first gathering in April featured guest speakers Vince and Lorrae O’Rourke of Carers Outlook who covered topics around spirituality in dementia and in the carer’s role, with Vince calling on his lived experience as a carer and as author of the book I Wish I was a Leper.
The guest speaker for the Dementia Café to be held in May will be Denis Hodder of Dementia Advisory and Support at OzCare.
Denise is a well-known local speaker who also offers one-on-one discussions to assist carers in their own homes.
Other participants over the series of gatherings will include representatives from Queensland Health, Dementia Australia and Queensland Ambulance covering topics such as behaviours of dementia, drugs used in the treatment of dementia, how to arrange a medication review, what to do if your loved one wanders and cyber security.
Those looking for more information or to book their place at the next Dementia Café gathering can do so by emailing gracied@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.
