Picture: Brendan Francis

Mr Foley was joined by Alzheimer’s Australia Acting National CEO Maree McCabe and Yarra City Mayor Roberto Colanzi to read Brains, Change and Big Long Names – which gives children an insight of what it is like for a person to live with dementia.

The audio book, written by Alzheimer Australia’s family clinician Lynda Moore, has been designed for parents and children to read together and act as a conversation starter to explain complex concepts such as brain function, dementia progression and losing a loved one to dementia.

Almost 97,000 Victorians are living with dementia, which is projected to increase to 386,000 by 2050.

The event is part of Dementia Awareness Month, coordinated by Alzheimer’s Australia, which aims to highlight the importance of people of all ages increasing their understanding of dementia – whether they’re carers, families, friends or a neighbour of someone with dementia.

The Andrews Labor Government provides more than $10 million annually to support initiatives across clinics, hospitals, community services for people with dementia, their carers and families.

For more information about dementia resources for children visit www.dementiainmyfamily.org.au

To attend a Dementia Awareness Month session near you visit https://vic.fightdementia.org.au/vic/dementia-awareness-month-2016