MELVILLE has more people living with dementia than any other council area in WA.

Although the figures come from the last census in 2010, mayor Russell Aubrey says it’s still one of the biggest challenges facing his community and he wants the council to work with support organisations to provide appropriate resources.

In 2015 the council signed a partnership with Alzheimers Australia, while it’s also been holding art walks for people with dementia and carer workshops.

• Ardross residents Wendy and Keith Glance, Trish Ellis from Attitudinal Healing International, and Cr Cameron Schuster at the dementia forum. Photo supplied

The mayor’s call came as dementia awareness month kicked off in Melville last Friday with a talk by Trish Ellis of Attitudinal Healing WA about communicating with dementia patients.

“It is vital that we understand Dementia and what it is like for those living with the disease and their family members”, Mr Aubrey said.

A report by Access Economics says by 2050 there’ll be more than 1 million Australians suffering dementia by 2050.

by TRILOKESH CHANMUGAM