Blog: The Brain Dialogues, filtered by tag: CHeBA

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Older Persons’ Mental Health Service based at Prince of Wales Hospital, in partnership with Randwick City Council, is set to hold its annual forum for the senior community on Wednesday, 25 October, with this year’s theme ‘Better Brains, Better Bodies, Better Ageing’. The free event, held from 10am to 1pm at The Juniors, Kingsford aligns with this year’s Alzheimer’s Disease International World Alzheimer’s Report message, that up to 40% of projected dementia cases could be delayed or avoided by addressing… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au In August 1932, a baby girl given the name Annette Barbara Murphy was born in Temora, New South Wales.  At age 90, following a 10-year battle with dementia, Annette passed away peacefully at Killara Gardens Aged Care.  Annette was a Piano Teacher, a lover of the arts and was blessed with a happy, fulfilling life and an adoring life partner who was with her for 57 years.  She was admired by her four children Jennifer, Peter, Debra and Justine, and a much-loved Ma-Ma to her eight grandchildren, Elliot, Lilly, Georgina, Anna, George, Julia, Aveline and… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au The breadth of research groups and studies at CHeBA make it a leader in the global epidemiology of dementia, with the data available making the Centre a rich resource for not just researchers, but also students.  According to the Co-Directors of CHeBA, Professor Perminder Sachdev and Professor Henry Brodaty, the calibre of students the Centre has supported has been outstanding.  Recent PhD graduate, Dr Rebecca Koncz, is no exception. Dr Koncz led a world first study using data from CHeBA’s long-standing Older Australian Twins Study, using a brain… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Across the globe, people are fascinated and intrigued by centenarians – the group of incredible human beings that defy the odds and live to 100 and beyond.  Over the last 20 years, the number of Australians who were living to over 85 years of age has risen by 110%; an extraordinary increase and begs the question as to whether this trajectory will continue. Sydney near-centenarian Mrs Patricia Segal is the hallmark of positive ageing. She is a participant in CHeBA’s Sydney Centenarian Study which explores the genetic and environmental determinants of… Read More

Development Coordinator, UNSW Medicine & Health, Marina Oliveira, is a proud member of the CHeBA Change Makers - Next Gen Philanthropy program. Change Makers are an exclusive group of next generation philanthropists aged 18-40 who are supporting critical research into Alzheimer's disease and other dementias for a brighter future in ageing.   What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘philanthropist’? Personally, for me it’s about contributing to the community and the world for a better future. Although I am neither a doctor nor in a position to have a significant impact on the world… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au For the first time in three years, seniors from across Sydney were able to attend an in-house version of the Eastern Suburbs Older Persons’ Mental Health Service’s annual forum which seeks to encourage a paradigm shift in the approach to ageing. The official opening of the Secrets of Ageing with Resilience forum was made by Deputy Chair of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Dr Debra Graves, who acknowledged the importance of the theme and its relationship to positive mental health promoting healthy communities. Professor Henry… Read More

Helping people with dementia and their care partners move forward and live positively after a diagnosis of dementia is what drives Nora Wong, Research Officer with the Cognisance consortium. Nora hopes that her research will challenge negative stereotypes and lead to better post-diagnostic support for people living with dementia.   How did you first get into research? Students enrolled in selected undergraduate psychology courses are offered the opportunity to volunteer for psychological research studies in exchange for partial course credit. This was my favourite pastime as an… 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

UNSW Medicine & Health Development Manager, Ruby Pradhan, is a proud member of the CHeBA Change Makers - Next Gen Philanthropy program. Change Makers are an exclusive group of next generation philanthropists aged 18-40 who are supporting critical research into Alzheimer's disease and other dementias for a brighter future in ageing.   What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘philanthropist’? I like to think that anyone can be a philanthropist regardless of their net worth or financial status so for me being able to do the little I can whether it’s through my time, experience or… Read More