Our history
In the early 1980s, State and Territory Alzheimer's Associations were established as self-help organisations by and for family carers of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
The National federation was formed in 1989 with delegates from all State and Territory members on its Board. Through this period there was limited Government funding for programs to help people with dementia.
The federation re-committed to the formation of a National Office and Glenn Rees joined the organisation as Chief Executive Officer in March of 2000. From here the organisation continued to grow receiving funding from the Commonwealth Government for many new programs.
In recognition to the impact of dementia on the Australian people, Alzheimer’s Australia actively advocated for dementia to become a National Health Priority. In the 2004 Federal Election, the Australian Government put dementia at the forefront of the nations’ health agenda by making dementia a National Health Priority with additional funding over 5 years.
Today Alzheimer’s Australia works in partnership with other peak consumer bodies and stakeholders, as well as the Commonwealth and State Governments. This has enabled Alzheimer’s Australia to substantially increase funding to develop and deliver national dementia programs and services that are considered to be leading edge in the international field of dementia support services.
The role of the Alzheimer’s Australia National office is to advocate on the basis of evidence based policy, promote awareness of dementia, administer national contracts with the Commonwealth Government and provide research grants to emerging researchers through the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation.