‘Think Again’: Why dementia isn’t just a normal part of ageing

Too many Australians still believe dementia is simply part of getting older. But as Dementia Action Week 2025 begins, a new campaign is urging us to “Think Again”.

Led by Dementia Australia in partnership with News Corp, the campaign comes as new figures reveal dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), around 433,000 Australians are living with dementia today, including 29,000 under the age of 65. Without intervention, that number is set to exceed one million by 2065.

While dementia has become Australia’s leading cause of death, Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan insists there is hope.

Professor Buchanan said the AIHW Dementia in Australia report  revealed that 43 per cent of the dementia burden in Australia can be attributed to six modifiable risk factors:

• Being overweight or obese.
• Physical inactivity.
• High blood sugar.
• High blood pressure in midlife.
• Smoking.
• Impaired kidney function.

“More than a quarter of Australians (28 per cent) incorrectly believe there is nothing they can do to reduce the risk of dementia,” she said.

“But there are things you can do now.”

As part of the Think Again campaign, Dementia Australia is also encouraging older Australians to take three simple steps:

• Download the BrainTrack app: This is a free app created by Dementia Australia to help monitor changes over time. The app uses simple games to track memory and thinking skills, generating reports people can take to their GP, making it easier to spot issues early.
• Book in with your GP to talk about brain health: Most Australians don’t realise they can have a proactive conversation with their GP about dementia risk factors, just as they would for their heart or blood pressure. Early checks around diet, sleep, exercise and lifestyle can make a measurable difference to long-term brain health.
• Complete the CogDrisk dementia risk test: A free online tool developed by leading Australian researchers gives people a personalised picture of their dementia risk and practical steps to reduce it.

“Dementia affects Australians of all ages and is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and is largely missing from chronic disease, public health and disability strategies across the country,” Professor Buchanan said.

“We must change this now.”

In addition to the above suggestions, research also shows that staying socially active — whether by keeping up friendships, joining a club, volunteering, or taking part in community activities — can help protect brain health.

A recent study, conducted by researchers at the Rush University Medical Center, found that regular social activity could help prevent or delay dementia in later life.

“This study is a follow up on previous papers from our group showing that social activity is related to less cognitive decline in older adults,” Bryan James, PhD, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush, said.

The study included over 1,000 older adults with a median age of 80 who were part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Social activity was measured through a questionnaire while cognitive function was assessed using 21 tests for various types of memory.

Researchers found that frequent social activity led to a 38 per cent reduction in dementia risk and a 21 per cent reduction in mild cognitive impairment risk, among participants, compared to those who were less socially active.

James explained that the study demonstrated that “social activity is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and that the least socially active older adults developed dementia an average of five years before the most socially active.”

By staying active, socially connected, and speaking with your GP, older Australians can take meaningful action to reduce dementia risk and support healthier ageing.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.