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Adrienne Francis and her mother Margot, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2023. Photo: Supplied.<\/p>\n
Three generations of women in Adrienne Francis\u2019 life have been diagnosed with dementia; two have passed away and the third, her mother Margot, is living with the condition.<\/p>\n
While it has been a road well-travelled as Adrienne watched her mother care for her grandmother, there was nonetheless a sense of fear when her mother was diagnosed with dementia in 2023.<\/p>\n
As her mother\u2019s only other family member living in Australia, the responsibility of caring fell to Adrienne.<\/p>\n
The support provided by Dementia Australia proved to be the circuit breaker as she ventured into a world that on first take can be overwhelming for many.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt really daunting and overwhelming when my mother was diagnosed in 2023,\u201d Adrienne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was still a lot of fear, grief, shock, sadness and worry for me in absorbing the impact and in trying to work out the best way to support my mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccessing Dementia Australia\u2019s services gave us practical tools, direction, comfort and reassurance when we needed it most.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adrienne was not alone in navigating an issue that has impacted on a growing number of Australians.<\/p>\n
About 433,300 Australians are currently living with dementia, with 6000 of those residing in Canberra.<\/p>\n
This is why the services provided by Dementia Australia have proven to be vital to the lives of many, especially those in a caring capacity.<\/p>\n
Adrienne also praised the support provided by an array of charities, not for profits, and tertiary institutions.<\/p>\n
While the support services are in place there is still an element of the unknown associated with dementia, especially in the medical sector.<\/p>\n
To this end, Adrienne\u2019s mother joined pioneering clinical trials at the University of Canberra.<\/p>\n
As an ABC TV newsreader, Adrienne has a platform to raise awareness of the services provided by Dementia Australia as an ambassador, but to also highlight the importance of getting a diagnosis, reacting to a diagnosis and the next steps forward.<\/p>\n
Raising awareness of issues such as navigating waitlists for respite and residential aged care also fall into her orbit.<\/p>\n
Adrienne will assume the role of MC this Sunday (22 February) at Commonwealth Park with the staging of the Canberra Memory Walk and Jog around Lake Burley Griffin.<\/p>\n
Entrants can choose from a 2 km walk, a 5 km walk\/jog, 10 km timed run or the 10km elite run (in under 60 minutes).<\/p>\n
While the event will be a fundraiser, it also provides a networking opportunity for people with dementia, their carers and their families.<\/p>\n