As the country's political parties make their case for your vote, a local man is making his case for a national dementia strategy.
Lisa Dineen, a highly-educated woman in her early 40s, was diagnosed with dementia in 2013. Her disease meant that she needed to move into a long-term care facility.
"Dementia is a terminal illness, and we see it on a daily basis," said Matthew Dineen, Lisa's husband. "It's excruciatingly painful."
In the years since his wife's diagnosis, Dineen has become a champion for those with dementia and their loved ones. With the federal election campaign in full swing, he and others are calling on politicians to support a national dementia strategy.
"I know people I speak with want more day programs, and a lot of people -- this is a huge one -- we want people kept in their house," Dineen told 1310 NEWS. "People want to live well into their late stages of life in their own home."
Dineen wants to see more federal resources and funding dedicated to dementia research and care.
