Media releases

Dementia Australia congratulates CEO, Maree McCabe AM on her inclusion in the Queen's Birthday Honours List announced today.

Dementia Australia has welcomed the announcement by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving the first disease modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) related to Alzheimer’s disease for almost 20 years. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said this was exciting news for the entire dementia community globally. 

This National Volunteer Week, which runs from 17-23 May, Dementia Australia celebrates and thanks the more than 1,000 Dementia Australia volunteers who contribute to the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Dementia Australia welcomes the extraordinary commitment to dementia announced by the Government in tonight’s Federal Budget.

Dementia Australia has today launched a new immersive experience, Talk with Ted, designed to educate care workers to better communicate with and support people living with dementia. Talk with Ted uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to provide an online simulation of a typical communication experience between a care worker and someone living with dementia. 

Prominent Australians including Prof Graeme Samuel AC, Ita Buttrose AC OBE, Denis Walter, The Veronicas and Abbie Chatfield have banded together with more than 200 Dementia Advocates to write to the Prime Minister ahead of next month’s Federal Budget.

In an address to the National Press Club in Canberra today - titled “Dementia is not about them - it is about you and me!” -  Dementia Australia Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC will share his personal experience of dementia - the anguish, bewilderment, frustration and torment experienced by his mother as she descended into the abyss of this insidious disease. 

Developing culturally appropriate assessments for people living with dementia in the Torres Strait is just one of 12 new projects that will share in nearly $1 million in grants to conduct ground-breaking dementia research.  Dr Leander Mitchell from The University of Queensland was awarded a $75,000 Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grant and will use the funding to develop tools to measure depression and anxiety in people living with dementia in the Torres Strait.  

Dementia Australia welcomes the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect. Since September 2018, people living with dementia, their families and carers have entrusted the Commissioners with their views, personal experiences and often traumatic stories.

Dementia Australia has a clear vision for quality dementia care in anticipation of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which has been handed to the Governor General today.  Maree McCabe, CEO Dementia Australia said all Australians need to have confidence and trust in our aged care system. 

The release of the final report by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is due to be handed to the federal government on 26 February and will be a defining moment for all Australians.