Our latest forum brings together rural health research and real-world experience to tackle one of Australia’s biggest challenges, how we support people to age well.
Next Wednesday, 1 July (10am-12.30pm), we are hosting an Aged Care Forum at our Lismore campus focused on reimagining healthy ageing and preventing dementia. The event will bring students, clinicians and community partners into the same room to share ideas, ask questions and shape what better care could look like in our region.
The forum opens with a keynote (via zoom) from 2026 Senior Australian of the Year, Professor Henry Brodaty AO. His work has transformed how dementia is understood, prevented and managed, both in Australia and globally. His journey began when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 52, at a time when there was little awareness or support. That experience drove decades of research and advocacy, including co-founding the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and leading major studies that show simple lifestyle changes can delay or even prevent dementia.
Following the keynote, an expert panel will explore a big question, how do we do aged care differently. The panel brings together expertise from across general practice, geriatrics, allied health and community care, alongside local and national perspectives. Panellists will be:
- Professor Henry Brodaty AO
- Dr Danielle Medeck (Geriatrician, NNSW LHD)
- Anne Moehead OAM (Nurse Practitioner, Psychogeriatrics, Chair Dementia Inclusive Ballina)
- Professor Dimity Pond, Professor of General Practice, GP and leading researcher in dementia (also Zoom)
- Professor Vicki Flood, Professor of Allied Health, Accredited Practising Dietitian, Director UCRH
- Sarah Crook, Occupational Therapist, Clinical Educator, UCRH
This is not just a conversation. The session will wrap up with a practical checklist co-created with participants, designed to support healthy ageing in everyday settings.
Join us in person or online and be part of a conversation that is directly shaping the future of care in rural communities.
Key details:
Wednesday 1 July
10:00 – 12:30
UCRH, 61 Uralba Street Lismore
Session 1 (10–10:45am) Welcome, Introduction of program and speakers and keynote address from Professor Henry Brodaty AO on a National Approach to Preventing Dementia: Scaling Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions” Translating research into scalable national approaches
Zoom details: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/register/p3ZISC6bS3itZdOvvTQHVA
Morning tea and networking (10:45– 11:15am)
Session 2 (11:15am–12:30pm) Expert Panel on How Do We Do Aged Care Differently?
Zoom details: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/register/wW0ZSlHpTxWnc-BGA-AzQA
