Dementia Australia

12/06/2026

The Dementia Australia Library provides free access to a comprehensive collection of print and digital resources.

With a wide range of books, ebooks, audiobooks and topic guides, the library is here to support people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers, as well as people working in dementia care practice and allied health.

From dementia care to personal stories of carers and people living with dementia, as well as resources for children and young adults, the Library has a wealth of resources and information.

And it’s free and easy to join.

Sign up and access the collection here: https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/dementia-australia-library

10/06/2026

We’re pleased to share this year's theme for Dementia Action Week: It's time to talk about dementia.

This year Dementia Action Week will run from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 September, with World Alzheimer's Day on Monday 21 September.

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia. An estimated 446,500 Australians are living with dementia right now and in 40 years that number is projected to reach one million.

Dementia isn't a normal part of ageing, it can affect anyone, including people in their 40s and 50s, and even children. And yet, it's still something too many of us avoid talking about.

When we talk about dementia we build understanding, reduce stigma and create more support for everyone affected.

That's why this September, we're asking all Australians to take part in the conversation: with family, with friends, in workplaces and in communities. Because change starts with a conversation.

As we get closer to Dementia Action Week, we’ll share more resources and information to help you get involved.

But for now, make a note in your diary for Dementia Action Week in September!

10/06/2026

“I loved my career in the police force. If I had another chance, I’d choose it again and again.”

In honour of Thank a First Responder Day, Dementia Advocate Peter is sharing his story as someone who spent decades serving his community as a police officer. Today he is retired and lives with young onset dementia.

“I like helping people out where I can and meeting them where they are at by asking questions,” Peter said.

“Learning more about dementia can make a real difference, even if you can just take five minutes out of your shift.”

Watch a short, interactive video series to support emergency services to recognise possible signs of dementia or cognitive decline when responding to emergencies here: https://www.dementia.org.au/professionals/information-and-support/emergency-services-and-dementia

Thank you to all first responders who serve our community and help improve the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers.

This video series is supported by The Co-Group.

Learn Dementia Australia’s approach to identify, empathise and communicate with people with dementia as fire, police and state emergency services workers.

09/06/2026

What are the latest advances in dementia diagnosis?

We recently spoke with Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor Professor Michael Woodward about the improvements in dementia diagnosis tools and the promising developments that could help more people get diagnosed earlier.

The article in our April eNews edition covers:

Barriers that continue to prevent early diagnosis

How biomarker tests and brain imaging have improved accuracy, and

How future tools could support more personalised and timely care.

Read the full article in our online Dementia Australia eNews: https://www.dementia.org.au/news/what-are-latest-advances-dementia-diagnosis

Sign up to the Dementia Australia eNews newsletter for regular monthly stories, expert insights and helpful resources:

https://www.dementia.org.au/news/dementia-australia-enews

07/06/2026

The Dementia Australia Library team have chosen ‘Living with Late-Stage Dementia’ as the June Library Pick of the Month.



Written by Lars-Christer Hydén, Anna Ekström and Ali Reza Majlesi, ‘Living with Late-Stage Dementia’ is based on empirical research and explores how to support, communicate and interact and with someone living with late-stage dementia.



The book provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for analysing, describing, and understanding communication in late-stage dementia.



The book is a great resource for graduate students and researchers at all levels in the fields of psychology, psychotherapy, social work, nursing, gerontology and related disciplines.



Find this book in the Dementia Australia Library at https://dementia-e-library.overdrive.com/media/10781800
Not yet a library member? Sign up for free at www.dementia.org.au/library

05/06/2026

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation 2026 Grant Program is now open for submissions, with more than $2.6 million available to support 12 innovative dementia research projects across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

For the first time this year, the Foundation is offering the Dr Pratishtha Chatterjee Memorial Travel and Collaboration Grant, which will support women and culturally and linguistically diverse researchers studying strategies for earlier, more accessible and more accurate dementia diagnosis.

The grant is supported by Dr Chatterjee's husband, Professor Abhay Singh, and honours the significant contributions Dr Chatterjee made to dementia research during her career, including through grants she received from the Foundation.

"Pratishtha (Rimi) dedicated her scientific career to making Alzheimer's disease diagnosis simpler and more accessible, even while facing her own profound health challenges with courage and grace. Rimi carried immense promise to progress science and believed that exposure is the greatest influence in life, and this grant exists to give fellow researchers exactly that," Abhay said.

"She was also deeply committed to supporting the next generation of researchers, particularly early-career scientists, women and those from diverse backgrounds."

All funding for the Foundation is donated by members of the public and private and philanthropic organisations. Since 2000, over $40 million in funding has supported more than 400 projects through the Dementia Grants Program.

For more information, or to apply, visit:

Learn about grants for new, early- and mid-career researchers to help build the capacity of the dementia research sector.

04/06/2026

Dementia Australia has created a new dedicated online space for members of the LGBT+ community impacted by dementia, their families and carers.

We partnered with ACON, with support from the Victorian Government, to create a new hub with links, resources, information and support dedicated to members of the LGBT+ community impacted by dementia.

We will be bringing together LGBT+ community members and allies together on 26 June at the Victorian Pride Centre to learn more about the new hub, followed by information sessions for anyone worried about their memory or looking to understand more about dementia.

This free event is open to everyone, and we would love you to join us. We look forward to coming together to support members of the LGBT+ community affected by dementia.

RSVP and find out more about the event here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/staying-connected-in-pride-lgbt-people-and-dementia-tickets-1987880395776?aff=oddtdtcreator

Our new hub is live at https://www.dementia.org.au/lgbt-people-and-dementia

02/06/2026

Tonight, SBS INSIGHT will air a special episode on dementia. The episode will cover how dementia impacts Australians, with input from Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Ambassador Jess Redmayne and Advocates.

Tune in to SBS Australia at 8.30pm to learn about dementia prevention and modifiable risk factors, symptoms, and how dementia affects people, as well as the impact it has on families and carers.

Thank you to everyone who were involved in this important discussion.

If tonight’s episode of SBS Insight raises any concerns or questions, the National Dementia Helpline is available 24/7 for confidential support and information.

Contact the Helpline on 1800 100 500 or by visiting https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/national-dementia-helpline

02/06/2026

To mark National Reconciliation Week 2026, the Caring Choir in South Australia has come together to perform the Reconciliation Action Song ‘Beds Are Burning’ by Midnight Oil.

This dementia and disability-friendly choir has spent the past two weeks practising their performance, registering their contribution with Reconciliation Australia.

The choir includes people living with dementia alongside others with a range of disabilities, highlighting the power of music to bring people together and create connection.

For more information on dementia and Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander peoples explore our Library’s collection of resources including books, articles and videos here: https://dementia-org.libguides.com/ATSI-peoples-and-dementia

01/06/2026

Everyone has the right to choice, dignity and respect in aged care.

The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission is encouraging older people to speak up if something isn’t right in aged care.

If you have a concern, you can talk to your provider first. You can also contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission for independent information, feedback or complaints.

Visit agedcarequality.gov.au or call 1800 951 822.