ROSEMARY is a traditional emblem of remembrance.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an evergreen shrub which was esteemed by the ancients for its aromatic quality and medicinal uses, which included treatment of disorders of the mind.

It is therefore appropriate, based on the association of the plant with memory from
ancient times through to today, for Rosemary to be chosen as the name and symbol
for an initiative in memory support.

Alzheimer’s disease, and other related forms of dementia, will impact on at least one in every four people in South Australia.
On current figures, around 1,500 older people in this state are likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease each year. However, many thousands more are affected as they take on the role of caring for someone they love who has dementia.

The Rosemary Foundation for Memory Support Inc. has been created to help combat the problem and the tragedy of dementia in our society.

SOMEONE YOU KNOW

It could be your mum who becomes lost and confused while doing the shopping - or your dad who forgets how to dress himself and refuses to shower - or your husband or wife
who can’t quite remember your children’s names, or that they came to visit with the grandchildren, just this morning.

Alzheimer’s disease is a thief. It takes away your memories, your skills and your abilities, just in tiny little pieces each time - but it never stops taking, until the ultimate theft of life itself. For the people who know and love you - your spouse, your family, your friends and neighbours - there will be years of saying a long goodbye to the person they knew.

A GROWING PROBLEM....Our lifestyle in Australia is amongst the best in the world.While Australians are living longer than ever before, as a country our population is rapidly ageing. At the end of the 20th century, almost 20% of Australians were aged 65 or over, compared with around 4% in 1900. Our longer lives give us more time to enjoy life, to
relax, holiday, and spend time with family. Many people will plan for these golden years
of retirement - they won’t expect to have all their hopes, plans and dreams unravelled by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of ageing, even though the single biggest risk factor yet known, is age itself. While it is rare under the age of 60, with less than 1% of people affected, by the time you are in your late 80’s the risk rises to nearly 1 in 3. It is estimated that the number of people with dementia in Australia will increase by a staggering 75% over the next 20 years.
As yet, there is still no known cause or cure.

THE ROSEMARY FOUNDATION

The Rosemary Foundation for Memory Support will provide long term, real help for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, and for their families and carers.

The Rosemary Foundation is a capital fund, derived from gifts and bequests given by committed and caring people, to provide on-going support for the work of the Alzheimer’s Association, and for research.

Funds are managed and preserved by a Board of Management, with income used to provide funding for projects and programs benefiting carers and people who have been diagnosed with dementia, undertaken by the Alzheimer’s Association. Funding given from the Rosemary Foundation will reduce the Association’s current heavy reliance on Government funding priorities, and allow for the future expansion of services in identified areas of heavy need.

Research funding includes medical and social research taking place at Australian universities and hospitals into various forms of dementia, and the effects of dementia.