Blog: The Brain Dialogues, filtered by tag: Community

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au For Michael du Chateau, dementia is a thief. A cruel and brutal thief that is stealing the life of his much-loved wife, Jilly. Jill was diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease when she was in her late 50’s. According to Michael, she began having reactions to situations that were outside of her usual behaviour.  “From that point, I had to bite the bullet and organise tests, coordinate a brain scan, talk to a neurologist, and speak with a dementia specialist." “I had to start down that brutal road.” Together, they share three sons and a… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au The last three years of a global pandemic have intensified health impacts on the lives of older Australians in many ways, challenging their coping mechanisms and consequently their levels of resilience.  The Eastern Suburbs Older Persons’ Mental Health Service (OPMHS) - in partnership with UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) - is giving attention to the topic of resilience at their free annual forum for seniors, to be held from 10am to 1pm on Wednesday, 26 October 2022 at The Juniors, Kingsford.  The event will be chaired by… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au When Ed Caser read about The Dementia Momentum initiative led by CHeBA in the AFR 6 years ago, the timing was profound. It was during a month that he was attempting to care for his Mum in country Victoria while remotely running 20 staff in an investments business in Sydney – a combination that tested him to his limits.  Ed Caser with mother Mary Caser Ed’s Mum, Mary Caser, has Alzheimer’s disease.  Ed has cared for his Mum beyond what most people can even comprehend. He has got her out of bed, bathed her, dressed her and fed her.  All while… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au When PJ Lane was given the opportunity to represent a dementia research Centre 10 years ago, the timing couldn’t have been more coincidental. The date he was being asked to stand on the podium at the launch of UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) was the exact same date that his TV legend father, Don Lane, had passed away just three years earlier from Alzheimer’s disease. For the last decade PJ’s dedication to his Ambassador role for medial research has been unwavering. “There has been no hesitation to stay committed,” says Lane.… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Specialist investment portfolio administrator – Integrated Portfolio Solutions – is embracing corporate social responsibility this World Alzheimer’s Day in support of The Dementia Momentum initiative led by UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), with Managing Director Darryl Johnson running both the half marathon and 10km Bridge Run in the Sydney Running Festival. Managing Director Darryl Johnson says the approach to run on behalf of CHeBA was timely, as he is now witnessing the devastating impact that Alzheimer’s disease has on his family… Read More

ZARA PAGE z.page@student.unsw.edu.au & HEIDI DOUGLASS h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Australia is home to one of the most multicultural societies in the world. In fact, older adults from communities with diverse languages, cultural backgrounds and nationalities make up approximately 30% of the Australian population aged 65 years and above but are underrepresented in dementia research. Zara Page, Study Lead and PhD Candidate​​ There are numerous barriers faced by older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in relation to accessing dementia diagnosis and care… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au More than 400 people from around the globe joined together online for the 2021 Eastern Suburbs Older Persons’ Mental Health Service’s healthy ageing forum. Mr Michael Still, Chairman of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, officially opened the Keeping Connected: Social Health and Ageing forum and acknowledged that 2021 had been a complex year for everyone, with COVID-19 remaining the centre of our lives. “We are almost learning anew that looking after our mental health is vital to our happiness and wellbeing – not just for ourselves but… Read More

In 1990 the UN established the 1st of October as the International Day of Older Persons. Since then, this day has acted as a reminder that older people must be granted the opportunity to play an active role in society, more so as the number of people over 60 is expected to reach 1 in 5 by 2050. The 2021 theme “Digital Equity for All Ages” predicates the need for access and inclusivity in the digital world so that older adults can meaningfully participate in our increasingly technology-driven world. Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Dr Katya Numbers… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Emeritus Professor Roger Layton AM - the father of modern marketing in our region - passed away on 5 June 2021, leaving behind a legacy that will live on in the hearts of his three daughters and those closest to him, and in the minds of future generations of marketing students. For most marketing academics and students, Roger is understood to be aligned with many important marketing ‘firsts’. He had an illustrious career with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and BHP before an opportunity arose to teach a course on econometrics at Newcastle College… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au In-kind partner of The Dementia Momentum since 2015, KPMG Sydney, has committed to continued partnership to support the initiative led by UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). The Dementia Momentum celebrated its anniversary with KPMG Sydney hosting an exclusive lunch for major donors and corporate partners of the initiative at their Barangaroo offices on Wednesday, 2 June 2021. The event, which was the first to be held for The Dementia Momentum since the global pandemic began and sponsored by private markets finance and investment… Read More