Our organisation
No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, Dementia Australia is here for you.
We exist to support and empower the more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia and the more than 1.5 million people who are involved in their care. Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia yet remains one of the most challenging and misunderstood conditions.
Founded by carers more than 40 years ago, today we are the national peak body for people impacted by dementia in Australia.
We involve people impacted by dementia and their experiences in our activities and decision-making, to make sure we are representative of the diverse range of dementia experiences across Australia. We amplify the voices of people impacted by dementia through advocating and sharing stories to help inform and inspire others.
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and support services. We advocate for positive change for people living with dementia, their families and carers, and support vital research.
We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible.
People living with dementia
Everybody’s experience of dementia is different. We respect that everyone has different needs, dreams and attitudes, so we listen and tailor our support appropriately. Our services are available pre-diagnosis and to all people living with all types of dementia, regardless of age, background or location.
Families, carers and friends
Families, carers and friends play a crucial supporting role in the care of someone living with dementia. That’s why we provide practical and emotional assistance to families, carers and friends at every stage, from pre-diagnosis onwards.
People with concerns about memory and thinking
We provide information to support people with concerns about memory and thinking to understand dementia. We also provide information on memory and common changes that may occur with ageing, strategies for improving memory and thinking, and information about when to seek help about concerns.
Health and aged care professionals
We support health and aged care professionals across Australia through our award-winning suite of education programs, including the use of innovative technology to create immersive experiences. We believe a well-educated and supported health and aged care workforce, committed to a person-centred approach, is essential for quality dementia care.
The community
To tackle the discrimination that we know many people living with dementia face, we work with the community to raise awareness, change perceptions and challenge stigma. We want to inspire a shift in the conversation about dementia and support people, local communities and organisations by equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to make our society more dementia-friendly.
Fundraisers and volunteers
We are fortunate to be able to count on the support of Australians who commit to raising funds by hosting and participating at events, or offering donations and bequests. Others share their time and skills, with a dedicated band of volunteers providing vital support across a range of activities. Put simply, we couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of the community.
Researchers
We believe science holds the key to better care and even ending dementia altogether. For that reason, we support innovative Australian research by providing grants to talented new and early-career researchers through the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.
Government
We advocate strongly to governments, and work with them to elevate the voices of a diverse cross-section of people impacted by dementia, to ensure their thoughts are considered in future policy decisions.
Dementia Australia (ABN 79 625 582 771), Dementia Australia Research Foundation
(ABN 79 081 407 534), and Dementia Australia Research Foundation (VIC) (ABN 51 158 180 477) are registered non-profit charities.