Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and a diagnosis can often lead to isolation as the illness becomes overwhelming for those living with the condition. But two Gold Coast community groups are leading the way to help change the attitude surrounding the condition.
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00:00Getting crafty to calm the mind.
00:05It keeps me busy.
00:07Bob Hall was diagnosed with dementia six years ago.
00:10An arts program run by his aged care home is helping him deal with the illness's frustrations.
00:17The loneliness or the difficulties that it creates in cognitive matters.
00:27If you can just forget about those things you can still enjoy life.
00:33This choir is made up of people with dementia and their carers.
00:38Music has its own magic and singing together is proven to have all sorts of beneficial effects.
00:43The Gold Coast is home to 10,000 people living with the cognitive disease,
00:48meaning the appetite for dementia friendly activities is high.
00:52As the choir has grown so has its impact.
00:56One lady for example is totally non-verbal and she simply smiles.
01:01421,000 Australians have dementia and that number is set to almost double by 2054.
01:09It can be quite isolating, people don't know what to say or what to do.
01:14Being creative and socialising is key to improving the quality of life of people living with dementia.
01:20Improving a diagnosis doesn't mean life is over.
01:24People can live really well with dementia.