ICONIC buildings around Australia's capital cities will be lit up in teal today to mark World Alzheimer's Day.
The day will throw a spotlight on dementia and in Canberra the Telstra Tower, National Carillon and the National Museum of Australia will turn a light shade of blue in the evening to mark the event.
The National Museum of Australia will be hosting a morning tea for people living with dementia their families and carers on with performances by Canberrans living with dementia who make up the inspirational Alchemy Chorus and VIVACITY dance troupe.
In Brisbane, Story Bridge will also light up in teal. The day will also be acknowledged in Queensland at the 2017 Hand Heart Pocket Gala Evening which will showcase world-class opera stars and musicians to fundraise for families impacted by dementia.
Alzheimer's Australia ACT Interim CEO Rebecca Vassarotti said: "World Alzheimer's Day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the impacts that living with dementia can have, this includes loneliness and social isolation for the more than 413,000 Australians that live with dementia."
World Alzheimer's Day coincides with Dementia Awareness Month with its theme of "You are not Alone".
A recent survey conducted by Alzheimer's Australia, Dementia and the Impact of Social Stigma, reports that over 70 percent of Australians admit they know very little about dementia; and almost half of the population do not realise that dementia is fatal or understand how to assist someone with dementia.
The survey also found that people living with dementia and their carers overwhelmingly report feeling socially isolated and lonely.
Ms Vassarotti said it was important to reach out and connect to people who are living with dementia, their families and carers. "By increasing our awareness and reaching out we can help ensure that people living with dementia do not feel so along," she said.
There are 413,000 Australians living with dementia. This figure is predicted to rise to 1.1million by 2056 in the absence of a significant medical breakthrough.
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500