Media releases

Dementia Australia is devastated by the tragic events that have led to Ms Clare Nowland being hospitalised.  We acknowledge the seriousness of her condition and extend our sincere sympathies to Ms Nowland and her family.  

Dementia Australia welcomes the significant investment in the aged care workforce and dementia specific initiatives announced tonight in the Federal Budget including a Clinical Quality Registry, investment in rarer forms of dementia and funding for longer GP consultations, which will benefit people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Curtin University and Dementia Australia are pleased to announce the appointment of the inaugural Chair of Dementia, Professor Blossom Stephan. Dementia is the second-leading cause of death among Australians, and the leading cause of death of women. It is also the leading cause of disease burden among Australians aged 65 and over. 

Researchers will examine why people living in rural and regional areas are three to five times more likely to develop dementia than their city dwelling counterparts and what can be done to reverse this trend – thanks to a grant from the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

Dementia Australia has today released a digital story, ‘Cutting Edge Technology Applications; Improving the experience of dementia for everyone’, showcasing over a decade the impact of these innovative tools.  

Dementia Australia welcomes Australian Survivor contestant and professional Big Wave Surfer Felicity ‘Flick’ Palmateer as the newest Dementia Australia Ambassador.  Ms Palmateer was inspired to support Dementia Australia after her mother passed away from younger onset frontotemporal dementia at the age of 52. 

With dementia taking over as the biggest health issue for Australians aged 65 and over, Dementia Australia reinforces the need for an interconnected, dementia-informed healthcare system to ensure everyone impacted by dementia receives appropriate support and care throughout their experience of the disease.

Dementia Australia Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE encourages all Australians to support people impacted by dementia by taking part in one of 20 Memory Walk & Jog events in 2023. Ita said she was excited to see Dementia Australia’s largest fundraising initiative set to return this year, with more events planned as the long-running event celebrates more than 15 years.

Dementia Australia congratulates former board members Ernest Thomas (Ern) Alchin OAM and Dr Sadhana Mahajani AM for their inclusion in the Australia Day Honours, receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division, and Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia respectively. 

Dementia Australia has welcomed the announcement by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving lecanemab, a new disease modifying treatment for people living with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment.   Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said this was exciting news for the entire dementia community globally. 

Dementia Australia has today released Half the Story, a guide co-authored by people impacted by dementia for organisations to engage in meaningful consultation with people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Dementia Australia welcomes the opening of the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care National Dementia Action Plan (the Action Plan) consultation process and calls for people living with dementia, their families and carers, as well as health, disability and aged care professionals, and academics to contribute.