Media releases

Originally planned to be held in Sydney earlier this year, the ‘Dementia Australia National Symposium Series 2020 – Dementia care is quality care’ has now been transformed into an online series of virtual events.  Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the 90-minute weekly online webinar series will be held over six weeks beginning on Tuesday 4 August.

Thursday 23 July 2020 Dementia peak body acknowledges the devastating impact that COVID-19 is having on older Australians, particularly on people living with dementia who are some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

Dementia Australia has welcomed an extension of three and a half months to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and a further 6,100 home care packages announced by the federal government.

Wednesday 8 July 2020 Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart OBE’s Race Against Dementia charity and the Dementia Australia Research Foundation today announced the launch of a new Australian dementia research fellowship. The ‘Race Against Dementia – Dementia Australia Research Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship’ programme will support two early career researchers in the field of dementia prevention or treatment.

Dementia Australia has welcomed the introduction of a Serious Incident Response Scheme by the federal government to protect vulnerable and senior Australians from abuse and neglect. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the scheme is an important step in helping to keep people living with dementia safe.

Today on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Dementia Australia is urging all Australians to know the warning signs of elder abuse and to be alert to vulnerable Australians, including people who live with dementia. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said elder abuse is a serious issue that is likely to have become even more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dementia Australia has welcomed the launch of the Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) Age-Friendly City Plan, which includes a focus on some areas becoming dementia-friendly. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the focus of the Plan is on practical achievements that address the barriers older Canberrans have said they face in living free from abuse, staying mobile, remaining socially connected and having good access to services. 

Dementia Australia has welcomed an announcement by the federal government to invest $57.2 million to improve palliative care in aged care facilities across Australia. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the funding announcement coincides with the beginning of National Palliative Care Week.

Dementia Australia has launched a new campaign urging all Australians to take a pledge to help keep the world open for people living with dementia, not just during the COVID-19 pandemic, but every day.  COVID-19 has changed everyone’s lives. Familiar routines have stopped, people are feeling disconnected and anxious, but for most of us, once the crisis has passed we will be able to reconnect with family and friends and get back to normal routines.  For people living with dementia, living in isolation can be a reality all day, every day even under usual circumstances.

Free, short, online courses have been announced by the Centre for Dementia Learning, Dementia Australia to assist frontline aged care staff delivering care to people living with dementia during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said with recent changes and restrictions, aged care workers are more than ever, uniquely positioned to be observing new or changed behaviours in their clients and residents. 

This National Volunteer Week, which runs from 18-24 May, Dementia Australia celebrates and thanks the more than 1,000 Dementia Australia volunteers who make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers.  Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said that this year’s theme is ‘Changing communities. Changing lives.’ and thanked Dementia Australia volunteers for their immeasurable impact on the broader community.