THROUGH EDUCATION COMES UNDERSTANDING and in the field of dementia or aged care we provide simple experiences and tools that care givers can use and that can be shared with others to improve lives and provide 'ah-ha' moments. At AGE-u-cate, we recognise that anyone who lives with dementia needs empathy and understanding. Sadly, more young people are being diagnosed with dementia and just as happens with our elders, often feel stigmatised. But it does not take much for us to realise show how easily you can change your own attitudes and actions, or those of your staff. We provide a foundation of understanding as a 'lived experience' which beds in other training so it is better absorbed and learnt. We provide you with tools that bring about simple change to greatly increase the level of empathy and care across everyone's lives. Maya Angelou said, "I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it." When we have experienced it for ourselves, though, we can break through and show that courage. Our education programs are : • Feasible and can be implemented in a number of different settings • Effective, with learning outcomes that improve communication and care practices • Better for families through better engagement • Better for staff by building a strong bond between caregiver and client • Available through community outreach The statistics say it all. People aged 65 and over constitute the biggest age group. We are an ageing population, and with that come many issues - issues such as poor mobility, poor memory, isolation, communication with its lack of social interaction and lack of understanding. Care for older people is, more than ever, about care for people living with dementia. There is an urgent need to equip care partners with effective, practical tools. Our programs provide manageable, uncomplicated ways to help not only those with specific needs, but also their carers.