Cathy Roth was inspired to create the Professionals with Alzheimer's (PALZ) support network when her husband John, a former surgeon, was diagnosed with the disease in 2014.
"He literally had to resign the day he was diagnosed due to ethical standards," Mrs Roth said.
Soon after his diagnosis, John was taken to a respite occupational therapy group.
"He was rolling a ball down a gutter when he rang me and said, 'Get me out of here'."
She recalled taking her husband home that day, and watching a television program on visionary physicist, Stephen Hawking.
"I thought, 'I have to keep that brain working'."
'A cross-pollination of wisdom'
The Roths travelled to Ballarat today to celebrate the launch of regional Victoria's first PALZ group.
PALZ offers professionals with early Alzheimer's the chance to connect with one another.
Every two months, group meetings are conducted in a boardroom that replicates a work environment.
Current business leaders are invited to speak at the meetings. Presentations are enhanced with video, and tactile elements such as flyers.
"They're back in a workforce, mixing with people who are current in the workforce. And they're contributing their wealth of knowledge to those (meetings)," Mrs Roth said.
"It helps keeps their brain active to create new neural pathways, and retain dignity and self-respect."
On alternate months, members regroup in a more casual setting, to reflect on the presentation from the speaker.
"They're drawing on the memories they might've created at the previous meeting, and reinforcing the memories they did create," Mrs Roth said.
On a personal level, Mrs Roth said PALZ has helped "sustain" her husband and provide him with a sense of purpose.
"He's developed friendships with other professionals in different areas; structural engineers, lawyers. He wouldn't have formed those friendships previously. To me, that's wonderful."
Dementia expected to more than triple in Grampians region by 2050
In Ballarat, the group will be operated by Grampians Health and auspiced by the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast.
Associate Professor Mark Yates, a geriatrician, said PALZ is a "perfect fit within the spectrum of care support offered by the health service."
"This bridges the gap in support networks we have in Ballarat for people with dementia and Alzheimer's," he said.
Dr Yates expected demand for groups such as PALZ to rise significantly in the coming years.
"We know that between 2017-2050, there'll be a 340 per cent increase in people with dementia across the Grampians area.
"Not because dementia is becoming more common, but because we're ageing as a community."
Anyone interested in joining PALZ is encouraged to get in contact through the PALZ Facebook or website.
