Dementia is Australia's leading cause of death, yet advocacy groups say it is still not discussed openly enough. This Dementia Action Week, the national conversation aims to change that through the 2026 theme, It's time to talk about dementia.
At the University of Canberra (UC), dementia awareness is more than a conversation. Through teaching, research and community programs, UC is helping improve understanding of dementia and the care and support available to those living with the condition. One example is the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation's (CARAT) Sustainable Personalised Interventions for Cognition, Care and Engagement (SPICE) program, the first initiative of its kind in Australia.
The program has expanded into SPICE For Life, a 10-week, student-supported model designed for people living with dementia and their care partners. Participants receive support, information, active rehabilitation, group discussion opportunities, care partner education and strategies to support their wellbeing. The program also helps foster community understanding of dementia as an acquired disability and promotes the right of people living with dementia to rehabilitation, meaningful engagement and quality of life.
“Too often dementia is talked about only in terms of loss. Weeks like Dementia Action Week are important because they let us talk about what's possible; connection, purpose, and quality of life and SPICE for Life is a good example of what that looks like in practice,” Professor of Occupational Therapy Stephen Isbel said.
“There is real value on both sides here. People living with dementia get the benefit of enthusiastic, well-supervised students bringing fresh ideas, and those students walk away with a genuine understanding of dementia care that shapes how they'll practise for the rest of their careers.”
PhD student, Kate Van Soest is one of those students, she is currently completing her second SPICE for Life group at the University’s student-led clinic, after first being introduced to the original SPICE program as an Occupational therapy student, on placement during her degree at the University of Canberra Hospital.
“That experience is what led me to join the team and start my PhD research on SPICE for Life.
“We have students from occupational therapy, exercise science, nursing and psychology helping facilitate circuit-based exercise, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy group sessions, and psychoeducation for care partners. It's about promoting quality of life, physical activity and connection for people with dementia and their care partners, but the student involvement is what makes it extra special,” she said.
Ms Van Soest also said that there's still a lot of stigma around working with older people and dementia, and it's an area that desperately needs more services, but it's not always seen as a preferred career path – something SPICE For Life is changing.
“Students consistently tell us how fun the program is, and how different it is to what they expected dementia care to look like, and the participants feed off that energy, they get to have a laugh and enjoy that intergenerational exchange, but they're also sharing their knowledge and giving back by helping shape the next generation of healthcare workers.”
The SPICE program launched in 2022 following collaborative program design undertaken by UC and Canberra Health Services and supported by Dementia Australia Research Foundation and the Dementia Australia Advocates program.
The program's future has also been strengthened through support from Tradies Dickson, which has provided funding to help ensure SPICE For Life can continue operating next year.
“Tradies Dickson are consistent supporters of people with dementia in Canberra across multiple initiatives. They have supported the SPICE program before, and we are extremely grateful for their backing of SPICE For Life,” CARAT Dementia and Cognition Theme Lead, Associate Professor Nathan D’Cunha said.
“This means our students gain real experience supporting people with dementia and their care partners to stay physically active, socially connected, and living well at home.”
Tradies CEO Alison Percival said supporting SPICE For Life was a natural extension of the club’s commitment to helping Canberra become a more dementia-friendly community.
“Being dementia-friendly is about making sure people living with dementia remain connected, included and supported to live well in their community.
“SPICE For Life does that in a really practical way. It supports people living with dementia and their care partners, while also giving the next generation of health professionals valuable experience and a better understanding of dementia.
“We’re really pleased to support the University of Canberra to continue this program and to help create more opportunities for people living with dementia to stay active, connected and involved in their community.”