Highlight news
Rural and remote Australians who notice changes in their own or a loved one's memory, thinking or behaviour are being encouraged to talk to their Rural Generalist doctor this Dementia Action Week (21–27 September).
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) President Dr Rod Martin says starting the conversation can be difficult, but people should not wait until they are certain something is wrong before seeking advice.
“Changes in memory or thinking can be confronting, and it can be tempting to put them down to getting older or avoid talking about them altogether,” Dr Martin says.
“But dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and there can be many reasons why someone's memory, thinking or behaviour changes.
“If you've noticed something that concerns you — in yourself, your partner, a parent or someone else you care about — talk to your doctor.”
This year's Dementia Action Week theme, “It's time to talk about dementia,” has particular relevance for rural and remote communities, where access to specialist dementia services can be more difficult.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 74 specialist diagnostic services participated in the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) Registry in 2024. Of these, 54 were located in major cities and 20 in regional areas, with no participating services located in remote or very remote Australia.
Dr Martin says this makes the relationship between rural patients and their local doctors particularly important.
“In rural and remote communities, your Rural Generalist may have cared for you and your family for many years,” he says.
“They know your medical history, the medicines you take, your other health conditions and often something about your life and circumstances.
“That continuity can be enormously valuable when something begins to change.”
Rural Generalists are trained in comprehensive care across a patient's life, including the assessment and management of dementia and other conditions affecting older Australians.
They can investigate symptoms, consider other possible causes, review medications and health conditions, involve families and carers, and coordinate specialist assessment and other support where required.
“Seeing your doctor doesn't mean you have dementia,” Dr Martin says.
“It means starting a conversation about what's changed and working out what needs to happen next.
“And if dementia is diagnosed, your local doctor can continue to be there for you and your family throughout the journey."
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) President Dr Rod Martin says starting the conversation can be difficult, but people should not wait until they are certain something is wrong before seeking advice.
“Changes in memory or thinking can be confronting, and it can be tempting to put them down to getting older or avoid talking about them altogether,” Dr Martin says.
“But dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and there can be many reasons why someone's memory, thinking or behaviour changes.
“If you've noticed something that concerns you — in yourself, your partner, a parent or someone else you care about — talk to your doctor.”
This year's Dementia Action Week theme, “It's time to talk about dementia,” has particular relevance for rural and remote communities, where access to specialist dementia services can be more difficult.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 74 specialist diagnostic services participated in the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) Registry in 2024. Of these, 54 were located in major cities and 20 in regional areas, with no participating services located in remote or very remote Australia.
Dr Martin says this makes the relationship between rural patients and their local doctors particularly important.
“In rural and remote communities, your Rural Generalist may have cared for you and your family for many years,” he says.
“They know your medical history, the medicines you take, your other health conditions and often something about your life and circumstances.
“That continuity can be enormously valuable when something begins to change.”
Rural Generalists are trained in comprehensive care across a patient's life, including the assessment and management of dementia and other conditions affecting older Australians.
They can investigate symptoms, consider other possible causes, review medications and health conditions, involve families and carers, and coordinate specialist assessment and other support where required.
“Seeing your doctor doesn't mean you have dementia,” Dr Martin says.
“It means starting a conversation about what's changed and working out what needs to happen next.
“And if dementia is diagnosed, your local doctor can continue to be there for you and your family throughout the journey."
All news
Rural and remote Australians who notice changes in their own or a loved one's memory, thinking or behaviour are being encouraged to talk to their Rural Generalist doctor this Dementia Action Week (21–27 September).
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) President Dr Rod Martin says starting the conversation can be difficult, but people should not wait until they are certain something is wrong before seeking advice.
“Changes in memory or thinking can be confronting, and it can be tempting to put them down to getting older or avoid talking about them altogether,” Dr Martin says.
“But dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and there can be many reasons why someone's memory, thinking or behaviour changes.
“If you've noticed something that concerns you — in yourself, your partner, a parent or someone else you care about — talk to your doctor.”
This year's Dementia Action Week theme, “It's time to talk about dementia,” has particular relevance for rural and remote communities, where access to specialist dementia services can be more difficult.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 74 specialist diagnostic services participated in the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) Registry in 2024. Of these, 54 were located in major cities and 20 in regional areas, with no participating services located in remote or very remote Australia.
Dr Martin says this makes the relationship between rural patients and their local doctors particularly important.
“In rural and remote communities, your Rural Generalist may have cared for you and your family for many years,” he says.
“They know your medical history, the medicines you take, your other health conditions and often something about your life and circumstances.
“That continuity can be enormously valuable when something begins to change.”
Rural Generalists are trained in comprehensive care across a patient's life, including the assessment and management of dementia and other conditions affecting older Australians.
They can investigate symptoms, consider other possible causes, review medications and health conditions, involve families and carers, and coordinate specialist assessment and other support where required.
“Seeing your doctor doesn't mean you have dementia,” Dr Martin says.
“It means starting a conversation about what's changed and working out what needs to happen next.
“And if dementia is diagnosed, your local doctor can continue to be there for you and your family throughout the journey."
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) President Dr Rod Martin says starting the conversation can be difficult, but people should not wait until they are certain something is wrong before seeking advice.
“Changes in memory or thinking can be confronting, and it can be tempting to put them down to getting older or avoid talking about them altogether,” Dr Martin says.
“But dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and there can be many reasons why someone's memory, thinking or behaviour changes.
“If you've noticed something that concerns you — in yourself, your partner, a parent or someone else you care about — talk to your doctor.”
This year's Dementia Action Week theme, “It's time to talk about dementia,” has particular relevance for rural and remote communities, where access to specialist dementia services can be more difficult.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 74 specialist diagnostic services participated in the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) Registry in 2024. Of these, 54 were located in major cities and 20 in regional areas, with no participating services located in remote or very remote Australia.
Dr Martin says this makes the relationship between rural patients and their local doctors particularly important.
“In rural and remote communities, your Rural Generalist may have cared for you and your family for many years,” he says.
“They know your medical history, the medicines you take, your other health conditions and often something about your life and circumstances.
“That continuity can be enormously valuable when something begins to change.”
Rural Generalists are trained in comprehensive care across a patient's life, including the assessment and management of dementia and other conditions affecting older Australians.
They can investigate symptoms, consider other possible causes, review medications and health conditions, involve families and carers, and coordinate specialist assessment and other support where required.
“Seeing your doctor doesn't mean you have dementia,” Dr Martin says.
“It means starting a conversation about what's changed and working out what needs to happen next.
“And if dementia is diagnosed, your local doctor can continue to be there for you and your family throughout the journey."