Dementia is Australia's leading cause of death, but according to new research by Dementia Australia, conversations about dementia often stay within family and friendship circles.
The YouGov research, commissioned by Dementia Australia, and released during Dementia Action Week, found one in four respondents say they have not had a conversation about dementia in the past year, and three in five say better guidance on how to discuss dementia and/or more open discussion in workplace and communities would encourage more open conversations.
To help start a conversation about dementia this Dementia Action Week, Dementia Australia is inviting members of the public to share their stories and experiences at a pop-up rotary phone plinth at Yagan Square from 12.30pm - 3pm AWST on Thursday 24 September 2026.
Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said conversations about dementia will help support a greater, much-needed national discussion about dementia.
"Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australia, and with almost half a million Australians living with dementia, we cannot avoid talking about dementia any longer," Professor Buchanan said.
"Our research found conversations about dementia in the workplace, online, in education settings, and in community or social groups are particularly uncommon. Almost half of respondents said more guidance on what to say and how to start having conversations when someone is diagnosed with dementia or shows symptoms would help."
Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Chris King, who cared for his wife Joy who lived with dementia, said people reaching out often matters more to them than having someone saying the right thing all the time.
"Sometimes the best place to start is simply by acknowledging dementia and knowing that you can use the word," Chris said.
"A diagnosis also doesn't automatically put someone's life in the past. Their lives are still happening now and there are still memories to make."
Although conversations around dementia can sometimes feel tricky to approach, Professor Buchanan said they are crucial in dismantling the stigma around dementia.
"A national conversation is made up of thousands of smaller ones," Professor Buchanan said.
"Whether you can come to our pop-up, or you have a conversation in the workplace, at schools or universities, community centres, places of worship or online - every conversation will make a difference to people living with dementia, their families and carers."
This Dementia Action Week, 21 - 27 September 2026, Dementia Australia is asking everyone to join the conversation.
