Page 3397 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 21 October 2014
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I strongly believe that investment in dementia research should not only be increased, but used effectively into the detection, prevention and cure of the disease. I would also like to see dementia-friendly communities and organisations in which people with dementia are encouraged to engage in social activities, access services and continue their lives for as long as possible in the community.
An article in the Weekend Australian on Saturday written by Barry Cohen, former long-time federal MP, with the assistance of his son, gave a quite personal and frank opinion on dementia and what I can only describe as the cruel and painful demise into an unknown and confronting disease. Mr Cohen is now living in an aged care facility and whilst he understands that progress has been made into dementia he stresses that we still have a long way to go. Whilst the path ahead for a cure is being explored, consideration and focus need to be placed on how we support the sufferers and families going through this journey now. In his article Mr Cohen articulates perfectly the need for support and states:
We should provide more resources to let nursing homes find a way for family members to spend more intimate time with those they love and care for. Watching television and staring at the ceiling is not the answer. We should also provide more carers to come out to home to look after more sufferers, and now. That’s when they need most care.
This superb and sad article written by Barry Cohen provides a very personal insight into the issues surrounding diagnosis and living with the disease. This article gives credence to the important work that Alzheimer’s Australia is doing and the need for further support and discussion on this matter.
I will end with another quote from Barry Cohen:
The time has come for governments to take the aged seriously.
When my family wasn’t there I cried for them to call. The only break from this misery were calls from former colleagues and friends. I have already lost several friends to dementia, including former West Australian senator John Wheeldon, Clyde Holding and Neville Wran (among the more brilliant). Then there is the man I admired the most, Gough Whitlam, who is fading, although he still goes to his office two days a week—at 98.
When word got out that I had joined the list of dementia sufferers one of the first calls I got was from an old friend.
“A Mr Howard calling,” was the message from the nurse. “I don’t know a Mr Howard, unless it’s the former prime minister.”
“That’s the one,” said the nurse.”
Mr Cohen went on to say:
Mr Howard’s last question was, “What is it like in there?”
He roared when I shouted back, “Question time.”
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