News

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.

By Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty

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.

Sleep problems are common among people living with dementia and their care partners.

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.

Showcasing a new post-diagnostic support program, Sustainable Personalised Interventions for Cognition, Care, and Engagement (SPICE)

Try to maintain a healthy weight and talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your weight, diet or appetite.

Forward with Dementia offers information, advice and downloadable resources to help carers and people living with dementia.

By DAI Co-founder, Kate Swaffer, MSc.

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.

Dr Meredith Gresham reports on the 2022 HammondCare International Dementia Conference held in Sydney from 8-9 September.

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.

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.

By Beth Causa, Speech Pathologist with a passion for rehabilitation, disability and aged care.

Showcasing post-diagnostic support programs currently running in Australia by Dementia Support Australia, Dementia Australia and the Uniting War Memorial Hospital

Age makes us more susceptible to having a stroke, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke.

Good oral health is vital for all Australians, but as we age, deteriorating health, cognition and mobility can make dental hygiene more challenging.

Libraries provide a wealth of resources for all ages and can be particularly useful and engaging for older people including 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.

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.

Drinking a lot of alcohol increases your risk of getting dementia and heavy drinking may speed up deterioration in people living with dementia.

The good news is that much can be done to prevent or manage incontinence including incontinence in dementia.

Men’s Health Week, from 13 – 19 June 2022, provides an important opportunity to reflect on the different health needs of men.

Music has a powerful and unique role in dementia care, enhancing quality of life for people living with dementia and their carers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By Prof Yun-Hee Jeon, Registered Nurse and Professor of Healthy Ageing

Top tips and key quotes from the expert panel on navigating the system and finding supports after a dementia diagnosis

Medication update by Prof Henry Brodaty

21 – 27 March is Playgroup Week and we’re showcasing intergenerational playgroups and the benefits they can bring for people living with dementia

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today!

Harmony Day provides an opportunity to promote dementia specific resources and services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities

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.

For many people, after receiving a dementia diagnosis, it’s hard to know what do next.

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

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

by Dr Meredith Gresham, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)

Uncorrected hearing loss increases your risk of dementia and makes life harder for those already living with dementia.

This Valentine’s Day remember to maintain those loving relationships and celebrate your personal connections.

With thanks to Illawarra GPs, Dr Russell Pearson and Dr Jeff Hall

By Bill Yeates, Dementia Advocate

by Dr Grace Wong, Bachelor of Medical Studies (Dist.) / Doctor of Medicine (Dist.)

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

Being socially and mentally active can help boost your brain health.

We know physical activity can help to improve or maintain memory, thinking, and the daily function of people with dementia.

It’s time to set a new goal, make a life plan and move forward with dementia.

by Prof Henry Brodaty

A selection of books that increase children’s awareness and understanding of dementia.

By Madeleine Radnan, Ruth Brookman, and Celia Harris from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour, & Development, Western Sydney University

Tips and ideas for maintaining your physical and emotional health during the festive season.

By Professor Yun-hee Jeon, Professor of Healthy Ageing. 30.11.21

COPE focuses on what the person with dementia can do, not on what they can’t.

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.

20 – 28 November is Social Inclusion Week, and this year the theme is connect, collaborate and celebrate.

You are invited to provide feedback on our website and other activities to help us improve the Forward with Dementia program.

Showcasing the iReadi program: Integrated Rehabilitation for Early Stage Dementia

People with dementia often feel shocked and numb when first receiving their diagnosis

The Forward with Dementia program challenges negative stereotypes and guides people recently diagnosed to live positively with dementia.

Guest post by Dr Maria O’Reilly, CQUniversity 1.11.21

Unmet needs and evidence for rehabilitation
with Prof Lee-Fay Low and A/Prof Lyn Phillipson

Targeting healthcare professionals to improve the dementia diagnosis experience for people living with dementia and their carers.

By Professor Lee-Fay Low 19.10.21

Health practitioners can improve communication of the dementia diagnosis and help set people with dementia on the right path forward.

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.

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.

By Prof. Henry Brodaty. 21.08.21