Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event
It’s time to talk about dementia with GPs
Resources and tools to support GPs in dementia care and brain health conversations.
- GP Referral Kit Dementia referral and dementia information for GPs and other referrers, and your patients and clients, from Dementia Australia.
- BrainTrack is a free app that helps you monitor and understand changes in cognition over time, which you can use to start a conversation with your GP.
- CogDRisk is an online risk assessment tool for dementia prevention.
- The Dementia Guide The Dementia Guide is the go-to resource for people living with dementia, their carers and family. Download, listen or order a free printed copy.
- The Younger Onset Dementia Guide The Younger Onset Dementia Guide is the go-to resource for people living with younger onset dementia, their carers and family
- National Dementia Helpline Free and confidential, the National Dementia Helpline, 1800 100 500, provides expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. No issue too big, no question too small.
- Hold the Moment podcast shares real stories from people who truly understand dementia: vulnerable and honest, hopeful and deeply moving.
Federal parliamentarians, healthcare professionals, people living with dementia and Dementia Advocates came together at Parliament House in Canberra for a Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event. Hosted by Dementia Australia in collaboration with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) ahead of this year’s Dementia Action Week, the event highlighted the critical and evolving role of GPs in supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers. It also explored opportunities to strengthen primary care to promote brain health, timely diagnosis and ongoing care.
Senators and Members of Parliament attended with the support of Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Senator Helen Polley, Senator for Tasmania and Tom Venning MP, Member for Grey.
Dementia is Australia's leading cause of death and an estimated 446,500 Australians are living with dementia in 2026, including around 29,000 people living with young onset dementia. Around 1.7 million Australians are involved in the care of someone living with dementia.
Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said GPs are often the first point of contact for people concerned about changes to their brain health and play a critical role in helping people access the information, care and support they need.
"GPs play a critical role in identifying dementia risk, supporting early intervention, coordinating care and managing multiple conditions over time."
"They are uniquely placed to have important conversations about brain health and to provide appropriate follow-up care. We want to put them in the best position possible to have these important conversations with the supports they need."
"It takes an average of 1.9 years from the time a person first experiences symptoms to the time they raise them with a health professional, and the average period from symptom onset to diagnosis is around three years.
“These are years in which people and families may be living with uncertainty, fear and a lack of appropriate support."
A panel discussion featuring Dementia Advocates Dr David M Williams AM and Belle Hogg, Dementia Australia Honorary Advisor Dr Marita Long and Dr Stephanie Daly explored the important role GPs play in supporting Australians throughout their dementia journey. The discussion was facilitated by Dementia Australia Ambassador and ABC presenter and journalist Adrienne Francis.
Dementia Advocate Dr David M Williams AM, who is living with dementia, spoke about the importance of having trusted healthcare professionals throughout the dementia journey.
"Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I have felt supported and listened to by my GP and my specialist which has enabled me to challenge myself to look after my brain health and stay engaged to keep me and my brain active."
Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Belle Hogg also shared her experience and the importance of ensuring people living with dementia, their families and carers can access timely information, support and care following a diagnosis.
- Dementia Australia and the RACGP are jointly calling for:Accessible and affordable longer GP consultations for people living with or at risk of developing dementia by increasing Medicare rebates for Level C and Level D GP consultations.
- Embedding brain health and dementia risk assessment and reduction activity in health assessments by developing brain health resources and tools specific for GPs with a focus on the 45–49-year-old health check.
- Increasing the uptake and quality of chronic disease management planning for people living with or at risk of developing dementia via tools for GPs.
- Investing in a national brain health campaign to improve public understanding of dementia risk reduction.
Through Dementia Action Week, Dementia Australia is encouraging all Australians to start conversations about dementia and brain health and help build a more dementia-friendly community.
For support, contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit our website.
