News
Medication update: Donanemab
The newly approved medication may give people who experience early symptoms of cognitive impairment reason to seek assessment.
Singing the praises of … singing!
Singing in a choir or music group can benefit people living with dementia as well as their carers.
Medication update: Lecanemab
By Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty
Communities for Dementia update
Dementia Action Week (16 – 22 September) is fast approaching and this year’s theme is “Act Now for a Dementia Friendly Future.”
A healthy diet for hearts and minds
One of the best ways to look after your brain is to look after your heart, and a healthy diet is a great way to do that.
Face Dementia’s General Practice Improvement Program
General practices have a key role in identifying, diagnosing and providing post-diagnostic care for people with dementia
Berry good news for brain health
Research has shown that eating berries benefits the brain and can promote healthy ageing.
An ‘exercise snack’?
Exercise consistently crops up as a key intervention to keep our bodies and brains functioning well.
New five-day post-diagnostic retreat by Group Homes Australia
The program was co-designed by researchers and people living with dementia and their carers.
Influenza and dementia
New evidence suggests that vaccination against viral illnesses can protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
Advance Care Planning week
You can develop an Advance Care plan or directive regardless of your age or health status.
BeConnected webinars and staying safe online
Sign up for these free, Australian Government BeConnected webinars to develop your digital skills and keep safe online.
Medication update: Lecanemab
By Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty
Tips for coping with the festive season
The holiday season can be a challenging time for people living with dementia and their carers. Here are some tips and ideas that might help.
Moving forward with new research
Researchers in the Australian Forward with Dementia Team are actively involved in a range of new research projects to improve diagnosis and post-diagnostic support for dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
Carers Week 2022
Forward with Dementia offers information, advice and downloadable resources to help carers and people living with dementia.
The world of dementia is changing
Dr Meredith Gresham reports on the 2022 HammondCare International Dementia Conference held in Sydney from 8-9 September.
Carer turned dementia advocate – Val Fell
Val continues to lead a local carers support group and is greatly valued for her empathy, willingness to help, and expert knowledge of the aged care system.
Speech pathology after a dementia diagnosis
By Beth Causa, Speech Pathologist with a passion for rehabilitation, disability and aged care.
Dental health
Good oral health is vital for all Australians, but as we age, deteriorating health, cognition and mobility can make dental hygiene more challenging.
Diabetes and dementia
10 – 16 July is National Diabetes Week 2022. Over 1 million Australians have Type 2 diabetes, and up to 1 in 5 people with the disease are yet to be diagnosed.
Dementia awareness in Men’s Health Week
Men’s Health Week, from 13 – 19 June 2022, provides an important opportunity to reflect on the different health needs of men.
Exercise right to boost your brain health
It’s Exercise Right Week (23 – 29 May) and a reminder to keep physically active to improve or maintain memory, thinking, and the daily function of people with dementia.
Celebrating nurses in dementia care
By Prof Yun-Hee Jeon, Registered Nurse and Professor of Healthy Ageing
Aducanumab (Aduhelm)
Medication update by Prof Henry Brodaty
It’s time to plan for the future
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today!
Time to plan for now!
For many people, after receiving a dementia diagnosis, it’s hard to know what do next.
Natural disasters and people living with dementia
by Dr Meredith Gresham, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)
Showcasing the Museum of Love and the Celebrate Ageing Program
This Valentine’s Day remember to maintain those loving relationships and celebrate your personal connections.
Medication Review: Watch out for Anticholinergics
by Dr Grace Wong, Bachelor of Medical Studies (Dist.) / Doctor of Medicine (Dist.)
Options for keeping physically active at home
We know physical activity can help to improve or maintain memory, thinking, and the daily function of people with dementia.
Time Travelling with Technology
By Madeleine Radnan, Ruth Brookman, and Celia Harris from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour, & Development, Western Sydney University
Showcasing the COPE program
COPE focuses on what the person with dementia can do, not on what they can’t.
Get involved and help us improve Forward with Dementia
You are invited to provide feedback on our website and other activities to help us improve the Forward with Dementia program.
Busting myths to combat stigma
The Forward with Dementia program challenges negative stereotypes and guides people recently diagnosed to live positively with dementia.
Improving the dementia diagnosis experience
Targeting healthcare professionals to improve the dementia diagnosis experience for people living with dementia and their carers.
Celebrating carers
It’s National Carers Week and we’re celebrating carers of people living with dementia. In particular, the wonderful carers who shared their experiences, strategies and advice to help build the Forward with Dementia program.
Cooking up a storm
Cooking can be a valuable way to boost brain health for people living with dementia and their families.
Internet-delivered intervention improves older adult cognition
The Maintain Your Brain internet-based coaching intervention was designed to prevent cognitive decline over 3 years.
How to best survive the heat (and humidity) this summer
Learn four ways to support someone with dementia to cope with heat and humidity.
When it’s not actually dementia
If you’ve received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or minor neuro-cognitive disorder.
Dementia and environmental design
Evidence-based design principles to improve the built environment to assist in delivering safe, respectful and dignified support.
Results show improvement in communication of dementia diagnosis
Health professionals who engaged with the campaign improved the way in which they communicated dementia diagnosis and provided more post-diagnostic information and supports.
MyMedicare to benefit older Australians
Seeing your GP regularly and formalising the relationship you have with your GP and practice through MyMedicare can help to better meet your health needs.
Vote for ‘Enjoying Life with Dementia,’ a film by Bill Yeates
You now have the chance to support Bill as the video ‘Enjoying life with dementia’ was entered in the Focus on Ability film festival!
Donanemab – the third new Alzheimer’s Disease treatment under development
By Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty
Improving the Forward with Dementia website
Exploring the usability, user experience and usefulness of a supportive website for people with dementia and carers
Epilepsy and dementia
Dementia and epilepsy often occur together and it is important to be aware of the symptoms of seizures and how they can be diagnosed and managed.
Getting organised at home
February is a great month to get organised and set up home routines for the year ahead to help you, and/or the person you care for.
New research supports evaluation of dementia-friendly communities
Communities for Dementia uses an empowerment evaluation approach to build tools, skills and capacity to help communities better understand their impact.
Social inclusion for people living with dementia
Social Inclusion Week is an important time to consider the social connection needs of people living with dementia and their carers, and to ensure they have the opportunity to participate fully in society.
New post-diagnostic support program in the ACT – SPICE
Showcasing a new post-diagnostic support program, Sustainable Personalised Interventions for Cognition, Care, and Engagement (SPICE)
Dementia Alliance International Peer-to-Peer Support Groups
By DAI Co-founder, Kate Swaffer, MSc.
Meet the Australian Research Team
Pictured from left to right. Top row: Nora Wong, Henry Brodaty and Yun-Hee Jeon. Bottom row: Lee-Fay Low, Lyn Phillipson, Meredith Gresham and Amy Tan.
Becoming a dementia advocate – Bobby Redman
I encourage others living with dementia, or caring for someone with dementia to consider becoming an advocate and undertake Dementia Advocate Training through Dementia Australia.
Support to stay at home following a dementia diagnosis
Showcasing post-diagnostic support programs currently running in Australia by Dementia Support Australia, Dementia Australia and the Uniting War Memorial Hospital
Libraries and people with dementia
Libraries provide a wealth of resources for all ages and can be particularly useful and engaging for older people including people living with dementia.
Alcohol and dementia
Drinking a lot of alcohol increases your risk of getting dementia and heavy drinking may speed up deterioration in people living with dementia.
Music and dementia
Music has a powerful and unique role in dementia care, enhancing quality of life for people living with dementia and their carers.
The importance of families in dementia diagnosis and support
Families are important in most aspects of life, but especially so in noticing early signs and symptoms of dementia and providing support following a dementia diagnosis.
Phil’s story: support of a highly trained assistance dog
Pets as therapy and assistance animals for people living with dementia.
Parkinson’s disease and related dementias
Read George’s story about his symptoms and diagnosis of Parkinson’s dementia, and how he’s managed to move forward despite a major set-back and time in hospital
Services for people with dementia from CALD communities
Harmony Day provides an opportunity to promote dementia specific resources and services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
New research to help people access dementia-friendly eye tests
Researchers at the University of Melbourne and the Australian College of Optometry, Victoria, are conducting research to improve the experience for people living with dementia when having eye tests
Hearing Awareness Week: Time to get your hearing checked!
Uncorrected hearing loss increases your risk of dementia and makes life harder for those already living with dementia.
How your GP and practice nurse can help
With thanks to Illawarra GPs, Dr Russell Pearson and Dr Jeff Hall
Reducing the risk of vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
New habits for the new year
It’s time to set a new goal, make a life plan and move forward with dementia.
Surviving the festive season
Tips and ideas for maintaining your physical and emotional health during the festive season.
Dementia Reframed
Dementia Reframed is about exploring different ways of thinking about dementia, beyond the medical focus on cause and treatment, and beyond the messages of doom and gloom.
One step ahead: the iReadi program
Showcasing the iReadi program: Integrated Rehabilitation for Early Stage Dementia
Travel for people living with dementia
Guest post by Dr Maria O’Reilly, CQUniversity 1.11.21
Getting back into life and routine after COVID lockdown
By Professor Lee-Fay Low 19.10.21
Launch of Forward with Dementia Australia
An innovative new program launched today aims to assist the estimated 60,000 Australians diagnosed with dementia each year to understand the next steps and change outdated perceptions of living with dementia.
Final Forward with Dementia newsletter
Thanks to the hundreds of subscribers who found our newsletters helpful for navigating life after a dementia diagnosis.
Finding culturally appropriate support after diagnosis
Australian Multicultural Community Services provide personalised support to Otto and Ann, including offering culturally specific food and assisting Otto in pursuing his interests.
What can an Occupational Therapist do for you?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) provide invaluable support for individuals with dementia and their families.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy + Community of Practice
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a short-term, evidence-based psycho-social intervention for people with mild to moderate dementia.
Introducing the PPA Guide
A new resource for people living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and their families
Supporting communication with people living with dementia
Maintaining meaningful conversations with family and friends is vital to living well with dementia.
Launch of Face Dementia project
The researchers who brought you Forward with Dementia have launched a new program to encouraging people to learn the early signs of dementia and seek a timely diagnosis.
Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance: Future Fit
Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance is preparing for two days of inspiration, knowledge and fun at a community event on September 23rd 20203 in Ballina, NSW
International experiences of post-diagnostic support
Recently published research which helped to inform the Forward with Dementia project in five countries.
April Falls Prevention
Older people, and people living with dementia, are at greater risk of falls and injury from falling. Find out how you can reduce your risk.
Rare Diseases Day: Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a relatively rare disease, but it is one of the most common causes of dementia in people under the age of 65.
LGBTIQ+ and dementia
Tailored supports and resources are essential for the LGBTIQ+ community as well as their care partners, family and friends.
Supported Decision Making for people living with dementia
As part of the United Nations Human Rights Day on 10th December, we’re sharing information about supported decision making for people living with dementia and their carers/supporters.
Sleep, wellbeing and dementia: New research
Sleep problems are common among people living with dementia and their care partners.
Nutrition and dementia
Try to maintain a healthy weight and talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your weight, diet or appetite.
Older Adult Mental Health Week
1 – 10 October is Older Adult Mental Health Week, an important time to increase awareness about depression and anxiety which can occur with, or following, a dementia diagnosis.
Becoming a dementia advocate – Bill Yeates
By sharing our experiences and our stories we help to reduce dementia-related stigma, and we help to inform and empower others.
Women’s Health Week
During Women’s Health Week, we encourage all women, and their families, to consider if they’re experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of dementia, and to seek a diagnosis and support.
Stroke and dementia
Age makes us more susceptible to having a stroke, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke.
Gardening and people living with dementia
With the worst of winter (hopefully) behind us, it’s time to think about gardening and all the benefits gardens and horticulture therapy can bring for people living with dementia.
Stay in control of your continence
The good news is that much can be done to prevent or manage incontinence including incontinence in dementia.
Art and people living with dementia
Research studies have shown that creative art activities can help boost cognitive function, as well as enhance communication and social connections for people living with dementia.
Dementia and driving
It’s National Road Safety week, and we’re sharing information about dementia and driving, including making decisions about driving, and transitioning to not driving.
Top tips from our expert panel
Top tips and key quotes from the expert panel on navigating the system and finding supports after a dementia diagnosis
Intergenerational playgroups: Benefits for people with dementia
21 – 27 March is Playgroup Week and we’re showcasing intergenerational playgroups and the benefits they can bring for people living with dementia
Dementia resource and services for Indigenous Australians
It’s vital to increase awareness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the health professionals who work with them, about dementia resources and support services currently available.
Webinar: Navigating the system, finding supports after diagnosis
This live webinar was held on Wednesday 16 March 2022 with Prof Henry Brodaty, Bill Yeates, Dr Stephanie Daly, Dr Andrea Lees, and Sue Tolhurst
Rare Disease Day: Frontotemporal Dementia
Dennis Frost felt relieved when he finally received his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
Keeping active and social while raising funds and awareness
By Bill Yeates, Dementia Advocate
Options to help keep you socially and mentally active online
Being socially and mentally active can help boost your brain health.
A tribute to Dr Hasegawa
by Prof Henry Brodaty
I-HARP: Improving dementia outcomes through at-home care
By Professor Yun-hee Jeon, Professor of Healthy Ageing. 30.11.21
Social inclusion for people living with dementia
20 – 28 November is Social Inclusion Week, and this year the theme is connect, collaborate and celebrate.
Emotional reactions to having dementia
People with dementia often feel shocked and numb when first receiving their diagnosis
Webinar: Rethinking support after dementia diagnosis
Unmet needs and evidence for rehabilitation
with Prof Lee-Fay Low and A/Prof Lyn Phillipson
Webinar: Rethinking the dementia diagnosis conversation
Health practitioners can improve communication of the dementia diagnosis and help set people with dementia on the right path forward.
Aducanumab: Is the new drug for Alzheimer’s disease a cure?
By Prof. Henry Brodaty. 21.08.21