September is Dementia Awareness Month

Goldfields Libraries will present five special sessions to inform and support those affected by dementia during Dementia Awareness Month this September.

Bendigo Library will partner with Alzheimer’s Australia to present ‘Letters of Love and Dementia’ on Friday 8 September, a morning tea event with teapots, fine china and cake stands laden with treats. People experiencing dementia, their family and friends and the general public are invited to come, sip tea... and write a letter!

During the session, special guest speakers include Edie Mayhew, diagnosed with early onset dementia seven years ago, and her partner Ann Tudor, will share how they wrote each other a letter every day for a week. This became a very positive and lasting experience for them both. Guests will be invited to write a letter and seal it with a ribbon for someone they love who has dementia.

Alzheimer’s Australia will also present ‘8 Things You Need to Know About Dementia’ sessions, which will touch on eight key areas of information useful to those affected by dementia. Sessions will run at Bendigo Library on Thursday 7 September, Heathcote Library on Thursday 14 September, and at Wedderburn and Boort Library Agencies on Monday 25 September.

“All sessions will be highly informative, practical and relevant, and those impacted by dementia are encouraged to come along and participate,” said Tammy Higgs, Goldfields Library Corporation Programs and Events Coordinator.

“We had Alzheimer’s Australia present a number of presentations last year and received excellent feedback, so we are looking forward to welcoming them to back to our libraries,” said Ms Higgs.

All sessions are free and bookings are required via www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/alzheimers