Jessica Redmayne from Channel 7's Home and Away has opened up about her mother's dementia diagnosis during Dementia Action Week.
The soap star, who plays Harper on the hit show, became Dementia Australia's newest ambassador in honour of Christine, her mother.
Christine was diagnosed with the disease in 2014. The advocacy group became a resource for her family to draw from.
"When Mum was diagnosed with dementia, my Dad and I had no idea what we were in for or how to best care for my Mum," Jessica said.
"Dementia Australia provided us with invaluable support, an outlet to connect with others in a similar situation and comfort in knowing we weren't alone on our journey
"A dementia-friendly community is so important so people living with dementia, like my Mum, are supported, welcomed and included.
"By sharing my story, I hope to inspire people to better understand dementia, take small steps to be more supportive of people in their community and show others impacted by dementia that they are not alone."
More than 400,000 people live with dementia in Australia, and more than 1.5 million are involved in their care.
Dementia Action Week is from September 18-24, 2023. It's a major leadership, awareness and advocacy campaign led by Dementia Australia as the peak body for people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Around two-thirds of people with dementia live in the community. The organisation says a lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia may lead to people living with dementia experiencing stigma and discrimination in the community. It's encouraging the public to make communities more dementia-friendly.
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If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.
