Think Again: Victor Dominello opens up about his mum’s dementia battle
Think Again: Victor Dominello opens up about his mum’s dementia battle
#dementia #thinkagain #awareness #prevention #australia
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Former NSW state minister Victor Dominello opens up about his mother’s dementia battle.
It’s a side to former NSW politician Victor Dominello many wouldn’t have seen – a doting son who grasps his mother’s hand for almost the entire time he is visiting – yet he does not know if there is a ticking time bomb waiting in his own future.
His mum, Josephine, has dementia – a cruel disease that he also saw his grandmother agonisingly suffer through.
Mr Dominello and his two sisters Catherine and Maria, who are throwing their support behind news.com.au and The Australian’s Think Again campaign, take it in turns to visit their beloved mum every day in aged care.
But there’s investigations Maria has done that her two siblings have yet to explore. She knows she carries a gene for dementia – a warning that she could be “looking down the barrel” of a health crisis she is currently watching play out.
She is urging her siblings to get the test and feels reassured she can be proactive about her health – because there are things people can do with 14 separate lifestyle modifiers that may reduce a person’s risk of developing these conditions by 45 per cent.
Catherine wants Australians to know that despite a dementia diagnosis there are “joyous times”.
Some of her best memories are spending the afternoons with her mum sewing together or gardening and realising she would “miss my little buddy”.
An impulsive trip to Italy is also a beautiful memory for the family. Josie’s family suggested she come for a visit and less than 24 hours later they got on the plane.
“It was such a whirlwind moment. But we look back on the photos there. There is just the most beautiful one of Victor and mum in a Roman church just praying together and you can’t pay for experiences like that,” Catherine said.
Maria also believes it’s important to create special memories now.
“Don’t hesitate, book those trips and make those times and book the musicals and whatever you’re interested in and spend that time together.”
The Dominello children agree keeping their mum active, socialising and even music therapy has been key to her longevity as well as giving her purpose.
Meanwhile, Mr Dominello said you never know what’s around the corner.
“It could be dementia or it could a stroke. There’s going to be a final call at one point. So check your health, make sure you prioritise your health,” he said.
“Every day is a gift, it’s a blessing and if something comes up, go and get it checked out.”
He is going to get the test to see whether he carries the dementia gene. Currently, he is trying to improve his health, particularly as he is a terrible sleeper, and now wears a ring that monitors key health factors.
News Corp Australia launched Think Again, a national campaign which aims to reshape the public’s understanding of dementia by engaging Australians earlier, activating Medicare supports, and reducing stigma to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
Timed with the start of Dementia Action Week, the four-week editorial initiative is led by news.com.au and The Australian, with backing from the entire News Corp Australia network. Specsavers Audiology has signed on in support of the campaign.
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