Bill Yeates: North Curl Curl man living with Alzheimer’s helps others with dementia

Bill Yeates was stunned when he learned, at age 59, he had incurable Alzheimer’s disease. But five years later, the retired northern beaches teacher is still helping others with dementia.

Bill Yeates, of North Curl Curl, with Manly Beachcomber Social Club members Pat Asplin (left) and Jessie Jan (right).

A man diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago is now raising money to help others living with dementia on the northern beaches.

Bill Yeates, a 65-year-old former high school chemistry and physics teacher, also works as a consultant for a leading charity that cares for and supports those with dementia diagnoses.

The North Curl Curl local, married with three children, found out in July 2019, when he was 59, he had younger onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s — a disease that progressively damages brain cells — is the most common cause of dementia, which involves a loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Mr Yeates’ doctors told him his Alzheimer’s had been triggered by a depressive episode he suffered in 2014.

Bill Yeates, 65, of North Curl Curl, helps raises money for HammondCare's art workshop project for people living with dementia. Picture: Supplied

But the former teacher, who was the deputy principal of St Augustine’s College at Brookvale for 10 years, said he was fortunate he was able to access a clinical medication trial that had helped keep the symptoms of cognitive decline at bay.

Along with three others, he co-founded the Ocean Rockpool Tour, a charity swim event held every January to raise money for a number of mental health charities including HammondCare, an independent Christian charity that provides support for people, and their carers, with dementia.

This year’s Rockpool Tour raised $10,000 to pay for artists and supplies for HammondCare’s eight-week art program, which is designed to help improve the quality of life of people with dementia.

Competitors in the 2024 Ocean Rockpool Tour charity swim. Picture: Supplied

About 30 people attended the workshops, conducted through HammondCare’s Beachcomber Social Club at Manly, and Watergum Social Club at Mona Vale.

Mr Yeats, a living experience consultant with HammondCare’s Dementia Centre, and a freelance dementia advocate who speaks at mental health conferences, said he spoke about the importance of trying to keep your body healthy and stay socially engaged.

“When I talk at conferences, I explain to people that ‘yes, it’s incurable and devastating, but you’ve still got to live a life’.

“I speak to the staff about the different side of dementia. We acknowledge it’s cruelty.

“However, don’t give up. Just look at the smiles of the people in the art workshops. They’re priceless.”

HammondCare’s lead artist practitioner, Charlotte Salusinszky, said the northern beaches workshops provided social connections and creative expression for participants.

Bill Yeates (centre) with Manly Beachcomber Social Club members Frank Pearce (left) and David Keating (right). Picture: HammondCare

Ms Salusinszky said the objective was getting people to participate and experience painting, as well as poetry, singing, sculpture, storytelling and other forms of artistic expression.

One of the Beachcomber art program participants, Pat Asplin, 86, of Fairlight, leaves her Thursday class “beaming with happiness”, according to daughter Kim Asplin.

Pat, a former violin and piano teacher, has lost her ability to play the instruments as her health has declined.

“For mum, the ability to be engaged in something creative like this is immensely rewarding for her. She gets so much out of it,” Kim said.

To learn more about how you can donate to HammondCare through the Ocean Rockpool Tour, click here.