Dateline: Mar 12

In its return episode for 2019, Dateline follows 62-year old former finance executive Greg Kelly, who was diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia, and younger onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 59.

This special episode has been voiced by SBS World News presenter Janice Petersen.

Dateline first met Greg in 2018, four months before he passed away.

At the time, Greg and his wife Janet were weighing his care options in their home state of Queensland. Should his young wife care for him around the clock? Or would he eventually go to an aged care facility?

Fifty two percent of all residents in aged care facilities in Australia suffer from dementia –and it is now the second leading cause of death in Australia. But it’s a disease usually associated with old people. Surprisingly there are approximately 26,000 Australians* aged 30 – 65 currently suffering from the disease.

Sub-standard care and the abuse of aged care residents is currently the subject of a Royal Commission, and the key reason why Greg and Janet made pact last year that Greg would never go into a nursing home.

In this episode of Dateline, the couple travel to Svendborg, Denmark to explore another option: a dementia village. A first of its kind in the country, it offers residents a more independent and dignified lifestyle compared to ordinary aged care facilities. About 120 dementia sufferers live together at the village, with the same number of qualified staff. Residents live independently in their own apartments and can shop, visit the café, gym or hair salon all within the village, but also armed with around the clock dementia care. There are similar dementia villages in other parts of the world including the Netherlands and Canada.

By January 2020 Australia will have its first Dementia Village in Tasmania.

Sadly Greg lost his battle with dementia a few weeks ago, leaving behind a loving wife, children and grandchildren.

This is the story of Greg’s dementia journey, and his hopes to lead a normal and dignified life with the time he had left.

Tuesday, March 12 at 9.30pm on SBS.