The abilityNEWS Daily
The Big Story
Dementia doesn’t have to be a life sentence (supplied Dementia Australia)
Nearly half dementia cases linked to six preventable risks
Dementia is now the leading cause of death - and thus disability - in Australia, and yet almost a third of people still believe nothing can be done. This week, Dementia Action Week asks Australians to “Think Again” — and take steps to cut their risk.
If you think dementia is just part of getting old, think again.
New figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show dementia is now the leading cause of death for Australians. Without change, more than one million people will be living with the condition by 2065. Right now, 433,000 Australians have dementia — including 29,000 under the age of 65 — and 1.7 million family members and carers are caught up in their care.
But Dementia Australia says it doesn’t have to be this way. Nearly half the national dementia burden can be traced to six preventable risks: being overweight, inactivity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, smoking and kidney disease. Tackle those and you reduce the odds.
Yet almost 30 per cent of Australians still believe there’s nothing they can do. Professor Tanya Buchanan, Dementia Australia’s CEO, is blunt: “We must change this now.”
The charity has launched Dementia Action Week 2025 with a call for a national network of Dementia Specialist Navigators to help families steer through diagnosis, health systems, and care. People living with dementia and their carers repeatedly say the hardest part isn’t only the condition, but the battle to find information and services.
There are tools to help: Dementia Australia’s free BrainTrack app, which tracks memory changes; the CogDrisk test, which measures personal risk factors; and proactive GP checks on diet, sleep and lifestyle.
“Dementia is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia,” Buchanan says. The message is clear. Dementia is not inevitable. But unless there’s action, the numbers will only rise.
Editor’s Note
News Corp is continuing their series of stories on the significant and growing effect of dementia. These require subscriptions, but can be found at the sites below:
Daily Telegraph: While dementia remains Australia's most feared health condition, a revolutionary 15-minute test now offers hope of reducing your personal risk factors.
Herald Sun: Scientists have uncovered how dementia disrupts the brain's “road network” up to 20 years before symptoms appear, offering new hope for early detection.
The Australian: Our GP columnist offers her guidance on treating the mental and physical health of a patient with dementia and what steps you can take right now.
The Briefing
How do you assess the quality of disability support?
by Summer Foundation
La Trobe University and the Summer Foundation are studying how quality in paid disability support is currently measured. They are seeking input from people with lived or professional experience to inform better evaluation tools for future care.
History of Autistic Advocacy
by Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia
Autistic advocacy has evolved through the neurodiversity movement, which rejects outdated medical models of autism. It promotes acceptance of neurological differences and the inclusion of autistic voices in shaping policies and societal attitudes.
Doing research together: Supporting inclusive and collaborative research partnerships
by Disability Advocacy Resource Unit
The DANA report launch highlights how researchers and advocacy groups can collaborate in equitable and thoughtful ways. The event features lived experience stories, actionable tools, and inclusive formats supporting shared research leadership.
Bridging Worlds: Why Hearing Loss and Mental Health Can’t Be Treated Separately
by Deafness Forum Australia
Hearing loss is often overlooked in mental health care, despite its profound impact on emotional wellbeing and social connection. For true support, services must be culturally respectful and linguistically inclusive for diverse hearing communities.
Have you heard about the NDIS Participant Reference Group?
by NDIA
The NDIS Participant Reference Group is seeking members to share lived experience and help improve the delivery of disability services. Participants contribute through regular meetings and feedback on policies, with support and payment provided.
Bring Your Ideas to Life: Apply Now for the $5,000 Marsh Community Grant
by Amplify Alliance Australia
Amplify Alliance and Marsh have reopened their $5,000 Community Grant to fund impactful projects driven by not-for-profit organisations. Applications are open until 31 October 2025, with the successful recipient announced mid-November.
Applying for the Community Grant? (supplied)
The Wrap
Fewer Aussies would need NDIS if government boosted mental health support, expert says
by ABC
Threadbare mental health services are pushing thousands of Australians with mental illness onto the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) indefinitely, according to former Australian of the Year Professor Pat McGorry. He says investing in early intervention could save the scheme billions. He says the scheme was the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" for people with psychosocial disability. The Albanese government is seeking to rein in the NDIS, which is expected to cost $52 billion this financial year.
‘Not worth their money’: Young boy loses prosthetic eye support from NDIS
by Sky News
Sky News host Caleb Bond discusses how the NDIS is under fire for unfair handouts. “He is eight years old, now he was born with no eyes and really small eye sockets,” Mr Bond said. “It means as his face grows it can grow in a normal way, well, the NDIS says that is not worth their money.”
Highs and lows across Hunter NDIS plan spending reveals gaps in services
by Newcasthe Herald
STATISTICS compiled using NDIS participant data show that plan utilisation rates are as low as 57 per cent in parts of the Hunter. Industry insiders say plan utilisation rates reveal where NDIS participants find it difficult to access services.
Mother who allegedly hid her baby’s body in a drain suffers intellectual disability and is extremely vulnerable
by News Ltd
A mother who allegedly hid her deceased baby’s body in a stormwater drain suffers a significant intellectual disability and is extremely vulnerable, a court has been told. The woman, who cannot be identified, is charged with concealing the birth of a deceased child and had her matter heard in the Perth Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday. Maintenance workers cleaning drains in Perth’s north found the body of a newborn baby boy by chance on August 18.
Disgraced physio Ryan Nugara convicted over sex attack on NDIS client after boozy date
by Herald Sun
A married physio plied a vulnerable NDIS client with cocktails, went home with her and sexually assaulted her before sending her apology flowers, a court has heard. Nugara’s registration to practise physiotherapy was suspended, and he will face further AHPRA proceedings after the criminal matter.
The Diary
