The word dementia refers to more than 100 different diseases of the brain. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It accounts for 50-70% of cases of dementia worldwide. The symptoms of dementia vary widely, depending on the region of the brain that is affected.

The most common symptoms include:

• Progressive loss of memory (especially forgetting recent events)
• Finding it difficult to focus and concentrate
• Becoming easily confused, disoriented and distracted
• Apathy and social withdrawal
• Inability to learn new things
• Changes in personality
• Problems with speech, language or comprehension
• Other signs of the brain not functioning properly

When my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2009, I flew from my home in Brisbane to look after her in Sydney. It was a complete shock as she was a non-smoker with no hint of impending illness. I was a medical doctor with a particular focus on brain health and prevention of dementia. To my alarm, I soon noticed that my 78 year old father was showing signs of dementia but my parents had ‘not wanted to worry’ me so they failed to mention this minor detail. This is a typical response to dementia: fear and denial.

Mum passed away 15 months later on 7th February 2010 and I stayed in Sydney to take care of my father. Thus began our adventure with dementia. Dad spent the remaining 10 years of his life engaged in mentally, physically and socially stimulating activities. For his 80th Birthday I bought him his first-ever gym membership (click here for photos) and much to his delight, he increased his musculature, strength and fitness by doing 3 sessions per week. The physical exercise also improved his memory and overall brain function. Together we did Meals on Wheels volunteer work, travelled oversees, attended Probus meetings and did bus trips around Australia. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on 6th March 2019.

My father, along with my patients and audiences, is living proof that it’s never too late to make a positive difference to a condition that is deemed incurable. In both my professional and personal experience, I have seen that education is more powerful than medication. We are not passive victims of our genes. The emerging field of neuroplasticity has shown that the brain can be changed. We can grow new cells, new connections and new circuits and we play an active role in how our brains develop throughout our lives. However, few people realise the extent to which their diet, exercise habits, sleep quality, stress levels, relationships, social interactions, mental challenges and many other lifestyle choices influence the health of their brain.

I am passionate about giving you the information you need to:

• protect yourself from all forms of dementia especially Alzheimer’s disease
• help others who have been diagnosed with dementia.

That’s why I created this website and wrote my books.

Seven in 10 Australians are affected by dementia in some way – either because they have dementia themselves or someone close to them does.

Over 10 people are diagnosed with dementia every hour and almost 1.5 million Australians are involved in the care of someone with dementia.

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australian women and 2nd leading cause in men. There are currently 450 000 people living with dementia and this number is increasing by 250 people every day.

Current research indicates that we can more than halve our rate of developing dementia if we address lifestyle factors. The tragedy is that most people are not aware of this.

In 2018 dementia cost Australia $15 billion. By 2025 it is predicted to increase to almost $19 billion in today’s dollars and by 2056 to $37 billion. This will blow out our health budget but we can reverse this trajectory by proactively looking after our brains.

You can start to Boost Your Brain, Defy Dementia and Avoid Alzheimer’s right now by:

Downloading your Free Guide to Understanding Dementia here
Reading my blogs here
Buying my books here
Attending an event here