Stark dementia figures
During Dementia Awareness Month, which runs throughout September, Alzheimer’s Australia is calling for greater awareness and understanding of dementia so people living with the condition feel less isolated and alone.
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There are more than 353,000 Australians with dementia and an estimated 1.2 million people involved in the care of someone with dementia. In the Albury, Cootamundra, Murray and Wagga electorates there are an estimated 5400 people living with dementia. That figure is projected to increase to about 10,500 by 2050. A survey just released by Alzheimer’s Australia has found that people with dementia are almost twice as likely to have high rates of loneliness, and people with dementia and carers are significantly more lonely than the general population.
We hear repeatedly that when someone is diagnosed with dementia, friendships and some family relationships suddenly disappear because people simply don’t know how to interact with their friend or loved one with dementia.
Treating people with the same respect, kindness, inclusiveness and thoughtfulness you always have is what makes a difference to them. They are still the same person they were before the diagnosis. They just may need a little bit more time, understanding and support.
I encourage your readers to find out more by going to www.fightdementia.org.au.
Hon. John Watkins AM
Alzheimer's Australia NSW chief
Live export disgrace
IN THE Good Weekend (Sydney Morning Herald, September 10, 2016) I read about Dr Lynn Simpson who was once regarded as one of the most outstanding live-export vets.
She travelled with livestock, transporting mainly cattle to the Middle East, Libya and Turkey resulting in 57 voyages over an 11-year period from 2001 to 2012.
“I'm pro-farming. I have worked in the agricultural sector and I understand why farmers enjoy and cherish the lifestyle they have. I am not against live export, I'm against the way we do it,” Dr Simpson said.
The article goes on to relate the dreadful conditions animals are subjected to, which includes extreme temperatures, accumulation of gases resulting from faeces and urine build up, cramped pens and trampling by other animals.
Dr Simpson described this sickening example: In the Gulf of Aden, heat ferocious, the captain said a crisis happening on deck five … she started cutting throats (sheep), blood spurting on to her wrist felt like boiling water. A nearby thermometer was inserted into a sheep, temp 47°C. A sheep’s normal temperature being 39°C, this animal was actually cooking alive.
This account is one of many experiences told by Dr Simpson. I read this article with increasing feelings of horror and disgust.
Having grown up on the land, I too do not want to see the end of this trade for our farmers but I do want our animals treated in a humane manner.
What is happening in this live export?
Has it improved or are we still turning a blind eye to these dreadful conditions?
I and many others want the answer.
Win Main
Cootamundra
War of power, not religion
As an Ahmadiyya Muslim, I denounce killing of the elderly priest in France in strongest possible terms. I totally agree with Honorable Pope Francis that the world is at war not due to the religion but because of lust for power, money and resources.
Religion is there to establish peace in our society by uniting us on common grounds. Our ways may be different but we worship the same God, creator of our universe. Being a Muslim, it is a condition of my faith to believe in all previous prophets including Jesus and Moses and all previous books including Bible.
