Dementia advocacy and the 48th federal Parliament

Help Dementia Australia lead the call for a national conversation about dementia and brain health and the need for improved support and services and post about your experience with dementia and explain why dementia matters to you.

Dementia Australia's social media channels

X/Twitter: @DementiaAus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DementiaAustralia

Instagram: @dementia_australia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alzheimer's-australia/

Please follow us or like or share posts to help raise awareness of dementia. Tag us into your posts and we will also share where possible. Don’t forget to tag your local member of parliament or senator as well.

Sample script for social media posts

Select the text below, press CTRL+C to copy it, then paste it by pressing CTRL+V. 

Dementia is soon to become the nation’s leading cause of death and Australians impacted by dementia cannot wait! Dementia affects Australians of all ages and is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia and must be top of the agenda for all political parties and independents.

In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, including 29,000 living with younger onset dementia and an estimated 1,500 with childhood dementia. Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054. We need all political parties and independents to commit to action now!

I’m calling on the 48th Parliament to launch a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health at all ages, establish a team of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia to deliver nationally consistent support and navigation to people of all ages living with dementia, their families and carers; and build the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia. #dementia #auspol

Or

Share your personal experience with dementia if you feel comfortable doing so – sharing your story will help demonstrate the importance of the issue.

A great way to bring attention to dementia is to raise the topic on your local talkback radio station.

To help, here is a list of talkback radio station phone and SMS numbers.

Tips and advice for talkback radio

• Allow for plenty of time. Sometimes the producer who answers the call may ask you to wait on the phone for up to 5–10 minutes until they are able to put you through to speak live on-air.
• Consider writing down a couple of points you wish to bring up during your phone call.
• The show may not always be able to take your call that day. If this is the case, consider trying again another day.
• Try to call when the presenter is seeking talkback calls about a topic related to dementia such as health or ageing.
• Radio programs regularly interview politicians. This is often a perfect time to call as you may have the opportunity to discuss dementia live on air.
• And/or send a text message via the SMS numbers in the link above.

Writing a letter to your local newspaper is another good way to bring attention to dementia. Most local newspapers have a letter to the editor submission form on their website that steps you through the process.

Sample script for a letter to the editor

Select the text below, press CTRL+C to copy it, then paste it by pressing CTRL+V.

Dear Editor,

With the 48th Parliament elected in May 2025, dementia must be top the agenda for all parties and independents.

Dementia set to soon become the nation's leading cause of death and it is increasingly being understood as the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia. People impacted by dementia can’t afford to wait!

In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, including 29,000 living with younger onset dementia and an estimated 1,500 living with childhood dementia. Two thirds of Australians with dementia live in our community and around 1.7 million people are involved in their care. Dementia is a progressive brain condition and there is currently no cure. Without a significant intervention the number of Australians who will be living with dementia is set to double in the next 30 years.

The situation is already critical with our hospitals, acute care and aged care systems all increasingly unable to meet the growing demand. Two in three people living with dementia live in the community and there are long waits to receive home care packages. With the number of Australians living with dementia expected to double by 2054, urgent action is needed now!

We simply cannot afford to wait, the 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to action. Dementia Australia is leading a call for a national conversation on dementia and brain health. I am joining with Dementia Australia in calling on the 48th Parliament to commit to:

1. launching a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health at all ages
2. establishing a team of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia to deliver nationally consistent support and navigation to people living with dementia, their families and carers
3. building the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia.

People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to get this right – now.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

You can find federal members of parliament (MP) and senators on the Parliament of Australia website.

Send a short message on social media to your local Federal member of parliament or senator explaining why dementia is important to you.

Sample social media message

Select the text below, press CTRL+C to copy it, then paste it by pressing CTRL+V.

Hi, my name is [your name], I live in [suburb or electorate name] and I have been impacted by dementia.

[Add your experience of dementia here. Please respect the privacy of others: we recommend you do not name individuals or organisations, such as a particular health, disability and or aged care service provider, health service or hospital.]

With the 48th Parliament elected in May 2025, dementia must be top the agenda for all parties and independents.

Dementia is set to soon become the nation's leading cause of death and it is increasingly being understood as the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia. People impacted by dementia can’t afford to wait!

In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, including 29,000 living with younger onset dementia and an estimated 1,500 living with childhood dementia. Two thirds of Australians with dementia live in our community and around 1.7 million people are involved in their care. Dementia is a progressive brain condition and there is currently no cure. Without a significant intervention the number of Australians who will be living with dementia is set to double in the next 30 years.

The situation is already critical with our hospitals, acute care and aged care systems all increasingly unable to meet the growing demand. Two in three people living with dementia live in the community and there are long waits to receive home care packages. With the number of Australians living with dementia expected to double by 2054, urgent action is needed now!

We simply cannot afford to wait, the 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to action. Dementia Australia is leading a call for a national conversation on dementia and brain health. I am joining with Dementia Australia in calling on the 48th Parliament to commit to:

1. launching a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health at all ages
2. establishing a team of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia to deliver nationally consistent support and navigation to people living with dementia, their families and carers
3. building the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia.

People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to get this right – now.

What steps will you take to support people with dementia and ensure these efforts become a reality?

You can use our script below to contact your member of parliament or senator. Personalising the text can make a big difference, especially if you have been impacted by dementia.

Sample script for a letter or email

Select the text below, press CTRL+C to copy it, then paste it by pressing CTRL+V.

Dear [name],

Subject: Brain health awareness

I am a local [electorate/suburb] resident and I am writing to ask you to pledge your support for a national conversation on dementia and brain health to raise community awareness of dementia.

[Add your experience of dementia here. Please respect the privacy of others: we recommend you do not name individuals or organisations, such as a particular health, disability and or aged care service provider, health service or hospital.]

With the 48th Parliament elected in May 2025, dementia must be top the agenda for all parties and independents.

Dementia set to soon become the nation's leading cause of death and it is increasingly being understood as the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia. People impacted by dementia can’t afford to wait!

In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, including 29,000 living with younger onset dementia and an estimated 1,500 living with childhood dementia. Two thirds of Australians with dementia live in our community and around 1.7 million people are involved in their care. Dementia is a progressive brain condition and there is currently no cure. Without a significant intervention the number of Australians who will be living with dementia is set to double in the next 30 years.

The situation is already critical with our hospitals, acute care and aged care systems all increasingly unable to meet the growing demand. Two in three people living with dementia live in the community and there are long waits to receive home care packages. With the number of Australians living with dementia expected to double by 2054, urgent action is needed now!

We simply cannot afford to wait, the 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to action. Dementia Australia is leading a call for a national conversation on dementia and brain health. I am joining with Dementia Australia in calling on the 48th Parliament to commit to:

1. launching a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health at all ages
2. establishing a team of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia to deliver nationally consistent support and navigation to people living with dementia, their families and carers
3. building the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia.

People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to get this right – now.

What steps will you take to support people with dementia and ensure these efforts become a reality?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your name, address, phone or email]

Consider calling your federal member of parliament or senator to talk about dementia and starting a national conversation about brain health.

When it comes to calling, have a clear idea of what topics and issues you would like to raise. If you are unable to speak with them directly, you can leave a message with one of their staff members and send them a follow up email or letter.

Sample script for a call

Select the text below, press CTRL+C to copy it, then paste it by pressing CTRL+V.

Hi, my name is [your name], I am a local [electorate/suburb] resident and I have been impacted by dementia.

[Add your experience of dementia here. Please respect the privacy of others: we recommend you do not name individuals or organisations, such as a particular health, disability and or aged care service provider, health service or hospital.]

Dementia is soon to become the nation’s leading cause of death and Australians impacted by dementia cannot wait! Dementia affects Australians of all ages and is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia and must be top of the agenda for all political parties and independents.

In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, including 29,000 living with younger onset dementia and an estimated 1,500 with childhood dementia. Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054. We need all political parties and independents to commit to immediate action now.

We simply cannot afford to wait, the 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to get this right - now. We need the federal government to start leading the call for a national conversation about brain health and fund support for more dementia services.

Questions to ask

• How is planning for the increasing prevalence of dementia factored into your policy platform? (Use our document on dementia prevalence in 2025 and beyond to highlight their local prevalence data)
• How will you be part of a national conversation on dementia by helping to support Dementia Australia in promoting a national campaign about brain health awareness?
• How will you advocate to improve dementia services and support, particularly the creation of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia? This is something that people living with dementia, their families and carers have wanted for a long time.
• How will you help ensure people who work in dementia care are appropriately trained to be able to provide the care and support for people living with dementia they deserve?

Phone or email your member of parliament or senator to request a meeting. Politicians are busy people, but even if you don’t get a time to see them, leave or send a detailed message for staff to communicate to them. This helps raise awareness of dementia in the community and that it is an issue of importance to electorate members.

Meet them at a community event

Check your local member’s website or social media page for any events they might be attending locally.

You might also see them at the local supermarket, train station, or they may even come to your door. This is a great opportunity to raise the issue of dementia in your community.

Be prepared with your ‘elevator pitch’. This means be prepared to speak about what matters to you most in a concise manner. You might not have much time with them. A good approach is to have your top three points clear in your mind or even written on a piece of paper to keep in your bag or wallet.

Sample script

Hi, my name is [your name], I am a local [electorate/suburb] resident and I have been impacted by dementia.

[Add your experience of dementia here. Please respect the privacy of others: we recommend you do not name individuals or organisations, such as a particular health, disability and or aged care service provider, health service or hospital.]

Dementia is soon to become the nation’s leading cause of death and Australians impacted by dementia cannot wait! Dementia affects Australians of all ages and is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia and must be top of the agenda for all political parties and independents.

In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia including, 29,000 living with younger onset dementia and an estimated 1,500 with childhood dementia. Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054. We need all political parties and independents to commit to immediate action now.

We simply cannot afford to wait, the 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to get this right - now. We need the federal government to start leading the call for a national conversation about brain health and fund support for more dementia services.

Questions to ask

• How is planning for the increasing prevalence of dementia factored into your policy platform? (Use our document on dementia prevalence in 2025 and beyond to highlight their local prevalence data)
• How will you be part of a national conversation on dementia by helping to support Dementia Australia in promoting a national campaign about brain health awareness?
• How will you advocate to improve dementia services and support, particularly the creation of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia? This is something that people living with dementia, their families and carers have wanted for a long time.
• How will you help ensure people who work in dementia care are appropriately trained to be able to provide the care and support for people living with dementia they deserve?