In early 2020, a group of Yarra residents made up of people with dementia, carers, volunteers and people working in the field established the Yarra Dementia Alliance. Following an interrupted past 12 months the group is determined to continue its work, rain, hail or lockdown. We’re looking for interested people in Yarra to join our Dementia Alliance, so we can continue the conversation.

From the initial Dementia Alliance meetings some key aims of the group were established.

To increase and improve the following:
1. Carer support
2. Inclusion and accessibility
3. Awareness and education

If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of achieving then please let us know. We're particularly interested in people who have dementia, care for or know someone with dementia and welcome diversity to strengthen the group's understanding. However, the key aspect is that you are passionate and interested in increasing the understanding of dementia within our community. 

Join the conversation

For more information or to join the Dementia Alliance contact Yarra Council Community Engagement on 9205 5439 or email [email protected]

Did you know?

• Almost half a million people are living with dementia, with an extra 250 people joining the dementia population every day.  That’s half a million reasons for us all to understand more about it.  
• A person living with dementia might be ignored or dismissed in conversations.
• Sometimes people will talk directly to the carer as if the person living with dementia is not even there.
• Assumptions might be made about the capacity of a person with dementia to contribute to conversations, decision-making, and everyday tasks. 
• Friends and family might stop calling or inviting a person living with dementia to social occasions, often due to not knowing how to include them.
• Recent research suggests 40 per cent of people feel awkward around someone with dementia and find talking to them confronting.  
• People living with dementia are more than two times more likely not to see friends compared to carers and the general public.