❓ Question regarding the WA government's support for people with dementia, their families, and care agencies during Dementia Awareness Month 2014. The Minister's answer focuses on the opening of Hawthorn Community Respite House in Albany and community involvement.
AnsweredQoN 639Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEMENTIA
AWARENESS MONTH 2014
639. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the
Minister for Seniors and Volunteering:
September is Dementia Awareness Month. Can the minister
please outline how this government is helping people with dementia and helping
their families and care agencies?
AWARENESS MONTH 2014
639. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the
Minister for Seniors and Volunteering:
September is Dementia Awareness Month. Can the minister
please outline how this government is helping people with dementia and helping
their families and care agencies?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. As the member pointed
out, September is Dementia Awareness Month. Dementia is a very debilitating
disease, which is occurring in greater numbers. In 2013, 27 000 people were
diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In 2050, 127 000
people will have this debilitating disease, which is taking a hold on our
community as a whole. Last Friday I had the opportunity to go to Albany and
open Hawthorn Community Respite House, which is a fantastic facility built for
people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia and to provide respite for
their partners. Besides the government funding more than $900 000 through
royalties for regions and Lotterywest, it is important to note that I saw in
Albany great involvement on the part of the community. A chook pen was built by
members of the community, crocheted rugs were sold to pay for a chandelier to
be installed in the main lounge and people raised money to build a water
fountain at the front of the facility.
Mr P.B. Watson :
The Men's Shed.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
The Australian Men's Shed Association became involved and provided an
aviary. The important point is that community involvement contributed to a
community facility. Last Friday, with the member for Albany, I saw amazing
community involvement. Hawthorn House is a home, and that is great to see. One
of the speakers at the opening of Hawthorn House was John Darch, who spoke
about how his wife is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and
how, by leaving Sue there, he can lead his life. Sue can be involved in all
types of activities from cooking through to arts and crafts. The important
thing is that John still gets the opportunity to have a quality of life for
himself and to get out and be part of that committee. We talk about population
ageing quickly. The Western Australian population grew by 14 per cent in the
last five years, but the number of seniors grew by 21 per cent. It is an
interesting fact that the City of Albany —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
My apologies. The number of seniors grew by 21 per cent while the total
population grew by 14 per cent. Sixty per cent of the population of the City of
Albany is over 60 years of age, which is an ageing population. That is a clear
change in demographics. However, this disease is not connected with just
seniors; it can attack all types of people.
While I was in Albany, I took the opportunity to visit
members of City of Albany and it was mentioned that the Leader of the
Opposition had been down there four or five times, but had not once knocked on
the door and had a meeting with the mayor or the council.
Mr P.B. Watson :
That's incorrect.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
Is that incorrect? Was that where you had that treat to meet with you?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Can you wind it up please, minister?
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
The important part is that the state government supports sufferers of Alzheimer's.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
There was a $410 000 grant last year to help inform the community about
Alzheimer's. Hawthorn House is a great facility for the City of Albany.
I acknowledge the sponsors in the state government, the Great Southern
Development Commission, Lotterywest, Health Workforce Australia, and Home and
Community Care. It is also very important to acknowledge the Jack Family
Charitable Trust, which is a great family trust in Albany giving money back to
its community, as well as the Department of Regional Development, which
provides crown land to support the City of Albany. It was a great opening.
out, September is Dementia Awareness Month. Dementia is a very debilitating
disease, which is occurring in greater numbers. In 2013, 27 000 people were
diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In 2050, 127 000
people will have this debilitating disease, which is taking a hold on our
community as a whole. Last Friday I had the opportunity to go to Albany and
open Hawthorn Community Respite House, which is a fantastic facility built for
people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia and to provide respite for
their partners. Besides the government funding more than $900 000 through
royalties for regions and Lotterywest, it is important to note that I saw in
Albany great involvement on the part of the community. A chook pen was built by
members of the community, crocheted rugs were sold to pay for a chandelier to
be installed in the main lounge and people raised money to build a water
fountain at the front of the facility.
Mr P.B. Watson :
The Men's Shed.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
The Australian Men's Shed Association became involved and provided an
aviary. The important point is that community involvement contributed to a
community facility. Last Friday, with the member for Albany, I saw amazing
community involvement. Hawthorn House is a home, and that is great to see. One
of the speakers at the opening of Hawthorn House was John Darch, who spoke
about how his wife is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and
how, by leaving Sue there, he can lead his life. Sue can be involved in all
types of activities from cooking through to arts and crafts. The important
thing is that John still gets the opportunity to have a quality of life for
himself and to get out and be part of that committee. We talk about population
ageing quickly. The Western Australian population grew by 14 per cent in the
last five years, but the number of seniors grew by 21 per cent. It is an
interesting fact that the City of Albany —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
My apologies. The number of seniors grew by 21 per cent while the total
population grew by 14 per cent. Sixty per cent of the population of the City of
Albany is over 60 years of age, which is an ageing population. That is a clear
change in demographics. However, this disease is not connected with just
seniors; it can attack all types of people.
While I was in Albany, I took the opportunity to visit
members of City of Albany and it was mentioned that the Leader of the
Opposition had been down there four or five times, but had not once knocked on
the door and had a meeting with the mayor or the council.
Mr P.B. Watson :
That's incorrect.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
Is that incorrect? Was that where you had that treat to meet with you?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Can you wind it up please, minister?
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
The important part is that the state government supports sufferers of Alzheimer's.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
There was a $410 000 grant last year to help inform the community about
Alzheimer's. Hawthorn House is a great facility for the City of Albany.
I acknowledge the sponsors in the state government, the Great Southern
Development Commission, Lotterywest, Health Workforce Australia, and Home and
Community Care. It is also very important to acknowledge the Jack Family
Charitable Trust, which is a great family trust in Albany giving money back to
its community, as well as the Department of Regional Development, which
provides crown land to support the City of Albany. It was a great opening.
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