Every year, Dementia Action Week brings together communities, health professionals, carers, families, and people living with dementia to shine a light on what has now officially been declared as the leading cause of death for Australians. In Australia, more than 436,000 people live with dementia and many more are closely affected by it through caring for loved ones who are living with dementia. Dementia Action Week is a moment to pause, reflect, and amplify our voices for better awareness, better care, and better support for those living with this condition.

This year, as part of Dementia Action Week, we had the privilege of speaking with our Warrigal team member, Professor Victoria Traynor, who is a leading figure in dementia research and healthy ageing. Victoria’s career spans over three decades, first as a gerontological nurse, then as founding director of the Aged and Dementia Health Education and Research (ADHERe) centre, and more recently in her dual roles as Professor of Healthy Ageing at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Professor of Dementia Care at Warrigal in New South Wales.

Read our interview below to hear more about Victoria’s career researching dementia, and where to find more information about Dementia Action Week.

What is your position at Warrigal, and what does this role entail?

When I started in my role as Professor of Dementia Research at Warrigal, my main responsibility was to develop a 3-year Warrigal Dementia Action Plan. And already Warrigal has allocated resources to undertake specific activities that will achieve the action plan’s goals.

What interested you in entering dementia-based research/education? 

I started working with older people as a volunteer in high school and I chose my new graduate job as a Registered Nurse in Edinburgh, in what was called a long-term care unit. I have always enjoyed working with older people and their families. When I worked clinically as a RN, there were no jobs like a clinical nurse specialist or clinical nurse consultant, so I chose to specialise in research and teaching about gerontology. My career has been so fulfilling, as I have been able to witness firsthand the positive impact of dementia research on those who live with it, and those who care for them.

What is the significance of Dementia Action Week? Why is this so important for Australians?

In Australia, Dementia has now taken over as the leading cause of death. This is because of the ageing population and the positive effect heart health campaigns are having on death rates. Also, dementia can be prevented and the symptoms of dementia can be improved by physical activity, good nutrition, social connectedness and mind stimulation. This week reminds us what we can do, and is an excellent chance for us to learn more about what we can do to prevent or ease the symptoms of dementia.

What are some of the initiatives/ways Warrigal remains informed on dementia research and the best care practices for those living with dementia? How is this knowledge implemented across our services?

From our Dementia Action Plan, we identified two priority areas. First, we are delivering a work-based education programme to enable every one of our care communities to have dementia specialist practitioners, who can support the care teams to deliver high quality evidence-based dementia care. Secondly, we are focusing on the environment to ensure the care communities become enabling places to live for people with dementia because minor adjustments can make a big difference. Our Dementia Action Plan will be released publicly soon, and will be an opportunity for those in our community to see how Warrigal plans to care for those living with dementia who are using our services. Warrigal will be forming a Working Party to monitor the effective implementation of this plan across the organisation, ensuring the plan’s priority areas are addressed.

What have you found to be one of the most interesting aspects of your research/career so far?

Combining my role as Professor of Dementia Research at Warrigal with my role as Professor of Healthy Ageing at the University of Sunshine Coast is what I have been working towards during my 30-year career as a gerontological nurse. Being able to directly implement research findings into practice at Warrigal is so fulfilling, and using what I learn at Warrigal in my University role means I can increase the impact I have through my research and teaching about dementia.

Dementia Action Week is much more than a campaign – it’s a reminder that through awareness, compassion, and evidence-based action, we can create a community that truly supports people living with dementia and those who care for them. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference, and while there’s currently no cure for dementia, research continues to show that certain lifestyle changes can help prevent or slow its progression. For example:

• Stay socially connected and engaged in meaningful activities

• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet

• Keep physically active with regular exercise

• Engage your brain through learning, reading, or puzzles

• Manage chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and hearing loss

• Prioritise quality sleep and reduce stress

To learn more about dementia and find support, visit the Dementia Australia website, which offers a hub of trusted resources and practical advice.