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Like the majority of people in Australia and around the world, I am shocked and appalled by the dreadful news about Clare Nowland. For those of us living with dementia and our families it goes a step further; the fear that this could happen to us or to those we love. I am thinking of all of you advocates out there who have been impacted by the dreadful news story and should you require support, do not hesitate to contact the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 to ask for assistance.
Of course, we do not know the full story, but the situation highlights the issues of which we are all aware around the desperate need for better training for care staff as well as other professionals including nurses, doctors, paramedics and the police, who may be called in to assist, if necessary.
But, the bottom line is none of this should have happened. This was a small, frail 95 year old woman, who got around on a walking frame – why could nobody find a better way to handle the situation ? The system has let Clare and her family down so badly and this can never be allowed to happen again. Our condolences go out to the Nowland family on the sad news of Clare’s death, our thoughts are with them as they deal will the loss of their loved one and the fall-out that will follow.
Bobby Redman
Chair of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee