The Dementia Foundation

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The Dementia Foundation Driving support, advocacy, and awareness for young onset dementia in Western Australia (WA). Learn more: www.tdfwa.org.au

The Dementia Foundation is WA's only dedicated not-for-profit focused solely on supporting individuals and families impacted by young onset dementia – a condition affecting nearly 30,000 Australians under 65. Founded by the leadership team behind 2Flourish, our Foundation delivers tailored support, advocacy, and community-based solutions that recognise the unique challenges faced by younger people with dementia – from career disruption and social isolation to lack of age-appropriate services. With an unwavering commitment to impact, we blend real-world experience with innovative partnerships to create services and campaigns that change lives – like The Big Lap, our flagship fundraising convoy around Australia which gets on the road 17 October, 2025.

- Championing design-led health innovation
- Raising visibility for overlooked communities
- Collaborating with corporate and community partners to scale impact

Based in Western Australia, working nationwide.

Earlier this year, Michael reached out to our team looking for support for his wife, who is living with young onset deme...
13/10/2026

Earlier this year, Michael reached out to our team looking for support for his wife, who is living with young onset dementia.

Living in Kalgoorlie, Michael has faced the challenges of finding age appropriate care that meets his wife’s needs and reflects her stage of life. His experience highlights the difficulties many families in regional Western Australia face when navigating dementia.

Michael recently shared his story with Matty Francis on ABC Kimberley.

🎧Take a moment to listen to his story: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/kimberley-mornings/mornings/107231588

Have you ever wondered if something you said was helpful or hurtful? Talking with a younger person living with dementia ...
25/09/2026

Have you ever wondered if something you said was helpful or hurtful?

Talking with a younger person living with dementia isn’t always easy, and sometimes a few words can make a big difference. Our Lifestyle Coordinator, Jo Nathan, puts it simply:

“Start with the person. Listen, try to understand how they’re feeling, and focus on including them.”

“You don’t need to have all the right words. Take the time to understand the person, and the conversation can often flow more naturally.”

If this feels familiar, you don’t have to work it out on your own. We’re here to listen, talk things through and support you as you navigate young onset dementia journey.

Many people associate dementia with memory loss, but dementia can affect people in many different ways, including change...
23/09/2026

Many people associate dementia with memory loss, but dementia can affect people in many different ways, including changes in communication, mood, behaviour and everyday life.

We find that sometimes people feel a little afraid to talk about dementia, and we understand why. It can be hard to know...
21/09/2026

We find that sometimes people feel a little afraid to talk about dementia, and we understand why. It can be hard to know what to say or what to do, especially when a diagnosis comes earlier in life, for younger adults and even children, bringing its own set of challenges.

So where do you go? What do you do? And how do you know what support might help?

This , we’ll be sharing a post series, with useful information to help you better understand dementia, recognise changes in behaviour and adapt to changing needs over time.

Because sometimes, starting the conversation is the best place to begin.

As we kick off , we’ll be at Tarmac Events WA this Sunday, sharing the Drive4Dementia journey, the story behind the dri...
18/09/2026

As we kick off , we’ll be at Tarmac Events WA this Sunday, sharing the Drive4Dementia journey, the story behind the drive and the cause that means so much to us.
Stop by and say hello!

📆 Sunday, 20 September
🕛10am to 3pm
📍Langley Park, Perth

This International Day of Charity, we thank all our partners, donors and volunteers for advocating for our cause.Togethe...
05/09/2026

This International Day of Charity, we thank all our partners, donors and volunteers for advocating for our cause.

Together, we are creating a future where younger people living with dementia can access support, environments and care that reflect their age, identity, independence and stage of life.

If you’d like to get involved, visit: tdfwa.org.au

The Foundation CEO, Holly Meijer, explains that dementia is Australia’s leading cause of death, with around 450,000 Aust...
04/09/2026

The Foundation CEO, Holly Meijer, explains that dementia is Australia’s leading cause of death, with around 450,000 Australians living with the condition. Almost 30,000 diagnosed before the age of 65.

“Because of their younger age, symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for stress, depression, menopause or other life changes, delaying diagnosis.”

“Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, while frontotemporal dementia is proportionally more common in younger people,” Holly says.

Early signs can include changes in personality or behaviour, problems with planning and decision making, or memory changes. Holly also explains that when these changes are progressive and begin affecting everyday life, they should not be dismissed simply because someone seems “too young.”

“Seeking medical advice early can help people access answers and appropriate support sooner,” she says.

🎧More insights from Holly are available online in the 20 August edition of ABC NT Afternoons with Lisa Pellegrino.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/darwin-afternoons/afternoons/107044570

For many families, the hardest part of the dementia journey is finding support that truly understands the needs of young...
03/09/2026

For many families, the hardest part of the dementia journey is finding support that truly understands the needs of younger people living with dementia. Some spend years searching for answers and the right services.

As demand for age-appropriate supported living continues to grow, we have doubled our respite capacity through the development of new villages and parks, with additional places becoming available from 2027.

Address

99-101 Francis Street
Perth, WA
6003

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+611300865282

Website

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