Introduction

People with dementia and their carers, families and friends can experience significant difficulties in identifying and accepting the condition. Such barriers can delay intervention or reduce the effectiveness of interventions by services.

Improving the public awareness of dementia and the availability of community education and information resources have been identified as central strategies for the community to understand the public health and community issues represented by dementia.

Actions

4.1 Support the ongoing availability of dementia-specific information resources

Dementia information resources are often funded through a one-off grant that results in the development of an information product and an initial print run of that product. A range of agencies and government departments have developed a variety of dementia education resources, using various communication media such as print, video and audio cassette.

The material may be specifically targeted-for example, generic information for the general public or residential care information for carers and families seeking aged care residential accommodation for the person affected by dementia.

The ongoing availability of dementia-specific information resources requires a staged approach. The scope of material would need to be considered, then the range of educational tools that address information needs along the pathway of dementia.

Appropriate dementia focused information resources available to all people would help meet the ongoing need for such resources.

4.2 Cooperate with VicHealth and other relevant agencies to develop common public messages about risk reduction and prevention of vascular dementia

Risk factors associated with vascular dementia include hypertension and smoking. VicHealth, the National Stroke Foundation and the National Heart Foundation could cooperatively promote good health by disseminating information on risk factors relating to vascular dementia. This would provide the opportunity to raise community awareness and knowledge of the benefits of changing behavioural patterns concerning smoking, alcohol intake, exercise and nutrition.

4.3 Provide targeted community education about dementia

A recent dementia public awareness survey was undertaken to assist in the planning and targeting of future public awareness strategies regarding dementia. A sample of the Victorian population (representing socioeconomic and gender distribution) was used. The sample statistics were weighted to population parameters, thus enabling statements about estimated population frequency to be formulated. The survey questions addressed the community's understanding and knowledge of, and attitudes towards, sources of assistance and referral; what could be done to help people with dementia conditions; and whether assistance would be sought if the person/family/friend showed symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

While 84 per cent of the survey respondents described their emotional reaction to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia as 'sympathetic', almost half of the respondents reported feeling 'helpless'.

The survey summary suggested that encouraging people to take control of a situation involving dementia would be vital if the level of perceived helplessness in the community is to decline. Such control could be achieved by providing the public with information about support services and about their ability to deal with and assist individuals with dementia.

Ensuring the community is aware of where they can access information, and of how subsequent assistance can improve their wellbeing, will assist in the public understanding of dementia.

4.4 Support Alzheimer's Awareness Week

The Alzheimer's Association Victoria has a key role in dementia care as a peak body that represents the interests of people with dementia, their carers and their families. It provides information, support and education services.

The organisation annually undertakes activities in Victorian metropolitan and rural areas during Alzheimer's Awareness Week to contribute to the continuing awareness of dementia. Activities throughout the week involve people and agencies associated with dementia care.

Implementation of actions 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 would require the ongoing proactive involvement of relevant stakeholders to identify how best to develop and target dementia-specific public awareness. It is important to develop dementia related health promoting policies in conjunction with relevant stakeholders.

The challenges in implementing activities relating to public awareness and health promotion include addressing a multitude of needs of the general public and carers, families and individuals already affected by dementia.

The complexity of policy development in this area is demonstrated by a consideration of prevention activities. These activities could refer to the prevention of the disease occurring or of its progression or of complications for the person with dementia, their carers and their family.

Prevention includes taking action to reduce the harmful consequences of a diagnosis of dementia for the individual, carer and family. In turn, this can have positive impacts in the broader community, challenging negative and uninformed attitudes to people with dementia.

Addressing the complexity of public awareness and prevention issues requires a process of systematic identification and priority setting.