About 100 people attended a dementia awareness presentation in Preston, hosted by the Hellenic Women’s Federation of Victoria on Friday 23 October. Dementia Australia support specialist Christina Kominakis explained the difference between everyday forgetfulness and memory changes that may need medical assessment. Signs included repeatedly misplacing things and difficulty managing money. The presentation noted that such difficulties do not necessarily mean dementia, but persistent changes should be raised with a doctor. A raffle raised $300 for Dementia Australia.
Comedian Geraldine Hickey will appear at a free Dementia Open Day at the Memory Lane Café, inside the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. The event runs from 1:15 pm to 3:45 pm on Monday, October 26, and aims to support LGBT+ people living with dementia and their families. Attendees can learn about dementia, how to support people living with it, and where to get help. Registration is required. The café is a partnership between Dementia Australia, the Victorian Pride Centre and Lifeview Residential Care.
Peter Maloney, who lives with dementia, says spending time in nature has helped him feel more grateful and content. He takes part in a gardening program at the Chigwell Community Garden in Hobart's northern suburbs with his wife, Madeleine. The program is run by the University of Tasmania's Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and funded by Primary Health Tasmania. Researchers say outdoor activities can help people with dementia stay active, socialise and feel a sense of purpose. The Chigwell lab is funded until June 2027.
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Young-onset dementia cases in Australia are expected to rise by 40 per cent, with more than 30,000 people currently affected. Young Dementia Australia, established in 2025, is pushing for greater awareness and support. The organisation is advocating for a national support line and more research into the condition, which disproportionately affects women and has a significant financial and social impact.
The Stay Connected Activity Centre in Port Stephens is holding a free concert for people living with dementia and memory loss. It will take place on October 23 at 10:30 am at the Centre on Shearwater Drive, Taylor's Beach, featuring John on piano and ukulele and Denis on piano, guitar and mouth organ. Activity Centre Coordinator Maraya Fameli said the event aims to let people facing memory loss join community activities, including those who cannot afford private fees while waiting for Support at Home packages. She noted that live music can lift mood and recall happy memories.
Dr Liz Cyarto is inviting families affected by dementia to join free guided walks in Hobsons Bay, starting Tuesday 27 October. The four walks offer people living with dementia and their carers two unhurried hours outdoors. Dr Cyarto said the walks may be the first of their kind in Melbourne. They are slow and mindful, and end with a cup of tea. A national survey found most family carers reported low wellbeing, with about 30 per cent caring more than 70 hours a week.
Dementia Australia held a support and information morning tea for carers at St Stephens Catholic Church Hall in Tea Gardens on Monday, 12 October. Annette Noffke led the session, which focused on understanding the range of dementia behaviours. Dementia is caused by several diseases that affect the brain and gradually reduce thinking skills, and it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia Australia says up to 45 per cent of cases can be avoided through steps such as quitting smoking, eating healthily and reducing alcohol intake.
Older people in Geelong can explore local services, make social connections and learn about dementia at a free expo next week. The Changing Mind & Positive Ageing Expo will bring together almost 40 local organisations and community groups as part of Victorian Seniors Month. Held at the Geelong Bowls Club on Friday 23 October from 10.30am to 2.30pm, it will cover healthy ageing, legal rights, volunteering and support services. Four speakers will present on ageing, dementia, wellbeing and social connection. Tickets are available through Trybooking.
Almost 3 per cent of deaths in Western Australia now occur through voluntary assisted dying, well above what was predicted when the law took effect in July 2021. The annual report recorded 541 deaths last year, about a 12 per cent rise on the previous year. Colin Holt, chair of the VAD board, said more people are aware the option exists for a terminal diagnosis. Eight doctors performed 53 per cent of practitioner-administered deaths, and Mr Holt called for more practitioners. The board is also reviewing whether time limits are too restrictive.
Carers across Bellingen Shire are invited to a free community lunch in Dorrigo on Thursday, 22 October, held as part of National Carers Week. The event will feature guest speakers Susan Murphy and Graeme Atkins, who will share their experiences of caring and living with dementia. Attendees can take part in a Rocks of Gratitude activity and learn about local support services. The lunch runs from noon to 2pm at The Never Never Mind on Cudgery Street. Registrations close on Thursday, 15 October.
Two young sisters, Min Luo and Fei Shan, have been playing piano for people with dementia after noticing a family friend with the condition calm down during their music. They now perform at aged care facilities, including an afternoon concert at Korongee Dementia Village in Hobart's northern suburbs. Resident Nick Dickens said the music eased his stress and brought back memories. Associate Professor Alison Canty said musical memory is often resilient to dementia and that music can release dopamine, improving mood and reducing stress. The sisters plan a concert to raise money for dementia research.
Griffith residents affected by dementia can access free educational sessions from October 19 to 22. Organised by Dementia Australia, the program covers carer wellness, community engagement, communication strategies, and behaviour management. Topics include virtual reality experiences, grief support, and practical home activities. Registration is mandatory, with limited spots available through the National Dementia Helpline or online. The initiative aims to empower participants with knowledge and support services tailored to dementia care.
The Town of Cambridge is one of three finalists in the WA age-friendly local government category at the 2026 WA Seniors Awards. The nomination recognises its monthly Memory Cafe, which supports people living with memory loss or dementia, along with their carers and families. Mayor Gary Mack credited staff, volunteers, partners and participants for the program's sense of belonging. The other finalists are the cities of Canning and Gosnells. The awards will be held on November 13, during WA Seniors Week.
More than seven in 10 female carers and six in 10 male carers surveyed for a national dementia study feel overwhelmed by their caring duties. Nearly half say some family relationships have worsened since they began caring. Dementia Australia chief executive Professor Tanya Buchanan says unsupported carers can reach crisis point, increasing the risk of hospital admission or early entry to residential care. Carers also report struggling to access respite and find complicated application processes for services. The organisation is calling for a national independent review of respite services and a national dementia care navigators network.
Panthers legend Royce Simmons has started a weekly coffee get-together in Penrith to help people meet and support one another. The group meets at Panthers Leagues Club and regularly draws around 20 people. Simmons is now launching a similar coffee group at Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club every Thursday from 10am. Members of the bowling club are welcome, and couples and individuals of all ages are invited. Simmons says he hopes the group will help locals through both good times and bad.
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New aged care residents may be charged for services such as free-to-air television, phones, wi-fi and soft drinks under a federal fee scheme. Providers are not required to supply a TV in new residents' rooms. Uniting has offered a package that includes music concerts and activity sessions, and says it is reviewing it. Opal, the nation's largest provider, is rolling out the fees across its 148 facilities. Advocates say some providers are gouging residents, and the minister has referred Uniting to the regulator.
A landmark study projects that 24.7 million people will be diagnosed with dementia each year by 2050, with women disproportionately affected. Researchers estimate about 11.4 million people developed dementia globally in 2023. The study, from the University of NSW's Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, analysed 38,418 people across 18 countries and territories. Researchers suggest factors including menopause, unequal education and job opportunities, and body mass index and physical activity may contribute. Experts say almost half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 risk factors.
A 10-year-old Drysdale girl is donating dolls to dementia patients on the Bellarine. Arliyah Stevens started A Doll to Hold after her mother encouraged her to pursue a passion project. She carefully selects and personalises each doll to suit the recipient’s needs, with the first doll going to a resident of Regis Drysdale’s Memory Support Unit. Arliyah hopes the dolls will bring comfort and joy to people with dementia.
Researchers from Curtin University have found that losing muscle mass as people age increases their risk of developing dementia by 42 per cent. The study also revealed that obesity before age 65 raises dementia risk by 9 per cent, but the risk decreases for those over 65. Lead researcher Dr Uraiporn Booranasuksakul said maintaining muscle strength is important as people age. Professor Mario Siervo noted the relationship between body weight, ageing and dementia is complex.
