Memory Nurture

01/12/2025

🧠 Did you know our brains go through five major stages across life?
A new study from the University of Cambridge shows that our brains don’t fully “settle” until our 30s, and they keep changing well into older age.

Here are the five ages of the human brain:
• 0–9 years: Rapid growth and major changes
• 9–32 years: A long period of brain “rewiring”
• 32–66 years: Stable adult phase
• 66–83 years: Early ageing
• 83+ years: Late ageing

This research helps us understand when the brain is most vulnerable and how we can better support brain health at every age.

🧠✨ A great reminder that our brains are always changing, no matter how old we are!

Four major turning points around ages nine, 32, 66 and 83 create five broad eras of neural wiring over the average human lifespan.

30/11/2025

Have you heard about the power of reminiscence therapy? 💭✨

A recent article from ABC shared the moving story of a daughter travelling with her father back to his homeland, revisiting childhood streets, favourite meals, old friends and memories as a way to support him after a dementia diagnosis.

Reminiscence therapy isn’t just nostalgia: looking through old photo albums, revisiting familiar places or sharing stories from the past can help people living with dementia feel more connected, calm, and grounded in their identity and history.

If you know someone living with dementia, taking time to talk about their past, listen to their stories, look through old photos or even plan a memory-filled outing could make a real difference. 💛🧠

Helena Popovic took her father on a trip home to Serbia after he was diagnosed with dementia and believes its reminiscence therapy slowed the condition's progress.

29/11/2025

Today, we share a lovely news story about a UK charity that has just recorded original songs written and composed by people living with dementia. The songs are new music from their own thoughts, feelings and memories. The project shows that creativity doesn’t disappear with dementia. With support from professional musicians and carers, people with dementia are expressing themselves through their own music and capturing deeply personal stories and emotions.

If you know someone with dementia or care about people in similar situations, maybe this can inspire you: creating music, singing together, or simply listening and sharing stories can bring light, dignity and connection. 💛

Project aims to unlock memories and sensations for participants while creating nine-track CD, recorded at Glyndebourne

28/11/2025

The Department of Communities is developing a new strategy to better support carers in Western Australia. They are seeking input from WA carers. It’s a chance for carers to share their experiences, challenges, and what support would make the biggest difference.

Your voice helps shape better services, policies, and resources for carers across our state. If you’re a carer or know someone who is, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and make sure your perspective is heard.

Follow the link below to participate.

27/11/2025

Today, we share the inspiring story of DJ Ha, who in his 20s experienced a stroke and his journey to return to his music career.

Meet DJ Ha - In his late twenties, DJ suffered a major stroke and was told he would never play the piano again. Today, he performs one-handed, using his left hand to create melody, harmony, and bass!
Watch him play: https://ow.ly/TnAG50XqSkc
Born in Korea, DJ began playing piano as a toddler and later studied at the prestigious Moscow Conservatorium before moving to Australia to teach and perform. When a stroke left him unable to speak or move his right side - DJ faced an enormous challenge to get back to his music.

He says, “I still remember thinking, I have five fingers, that’s enough... Music should have layers, and that doesn’t change whether you have one hand or two. I just had to find my own way to make it work.”

Through years of therapy, determination, and the love of his family, DJ learned to walk, talk, and play piano again; all with his left hand. In 2024, he won the Ryde Shine Ability Competition.

He continues to perform and teach, and is now studying to become a librarian, adding yet another chapter to his journey.

DJ says, “Please don’t give up on yourself. You never know what life is going to give you. Be kind to yourself, and forgive yourself, warts and all.”

26/11/2025

Last Friday, a member of the Memory Nurture team attended the 6th International Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from experts and colleagues delivering CST across Australia and around the world, including Brazil, Hong Kong, and New Zealand.

CST is an evidence-based therapy for people with memory loss, helping to strengthen social connections, support thinking skills, and enhance overall quality of life. At Memory Nurture, we’re proud to champion CST and its proven benefits.

If you’d like to learn more about CST, follow the link below.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a structured program aimed at improving thinking skills, mental engagement, and quality of life for people with dementia. The The CST Australia website is an initiative of the Australian CST Working Group.

24/11/2025

📱 Big Warning: Too Much Screen Time = Bigger Dementia Risk?
Recent research says dementia in younger Australians (aged 30–44) has jumped by nearly 400%, and experts are pointing to excessive screen time as a possible factor.

Neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams argues that constant device use is harming our attention spans, social interactions, and ability to engage deeply, all of which may be harming brain health.

He suggests reducing screen time and replacing it with more meaningful activities such as reading, quiet reflection, and face-to-face connection to support brain health.

Food for thought: how much time are you spending on your devices, and what could you swap them out for?

Alarming reason dementia cases have increased 400 per cent in younger AustraliansBy Tom Livingstone |2 days ago Most Australians can admit they probably need to cut back on their screentime, but experts have detected a worrying link between that and early-onset dementia.Dr Mark Williams is a neurosc...

23/11/2025

🔊 New Podcast Spotlight!
Check out this powerful blog from Dementia Alliance International featuring Theresa Flavin, who shares her lived experience of dementia in a recent NPS MedicineWise podcast episode. It’s a raw, honest conversation about what it really feels like to live with dementia, speak up, and be understood. 💬

Follow the link below to read and listen to the podcast ⬇

Today we’re revisiting a powerful conversation that first aired in February 2021, when DAI member Theresa Flavin joined Dr. Anna Samecki on the NPS MedicineWise Podcast (Episode 22). Theresa’s words remain deeply relevant to ongoing discussions about dignity, safety, and person-centred care in d...

22/11/2025

🎵 New study from Monash University finds that older adults (70+) who regularly listen to or play music have a significantly lower risk of dementia. Here are some key takeaways:

🎼Always listening to music → 39% lower risk of dementia.
🎼Playing a musical instrument often → 35% reduced risk.
🎼Doing both (listening + playing) → 33% lower dementia risk & 22% lower risk of cognitive impairment.
🎼Listening was linked to better overall cognition and memory (especially episodic memory).

Importantly, researchers say that music could be a simple, enjoyable, and accessible lifestyle tool to support brain health.

Maybe tune into your favourite songs more often. Your brain might thank you! 🎧

Older adults who regularly listen to or play music appear to have significantly lower risks of dementia and cognitive decline. The data suggests that musical engagement could be a powerful, enjoyable tool for supporting cognitive resilience in aging.

21/11/2025

👋 Happy World Hello Day! 🌼

A simple “hello” can brighten someone’s day and help build meaningful connections, something that’s especially important for people living with dementia and their carers. 💬💛

Social connection helps keep our brains active, lifts our mood, and reminds us that we’re not alone.

So today, take a moment to say hello to a neighbour, a friend, or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Every “hello” is a step toward a kinder, more connected community. 💕

20/11/2025

Did you know, our vision might predict dementia 12 years before a diagnosis?

Large studies in the UK and Australia found that people who did worse on simple vision tests were more likely to develop dementia years later.

One test involved pressing a button when a triangle appeared in a field of moving dots. People who later developed dementia were slower at spotting it.

Vision decline might be an early risk factor for cognitive decline and could be partly treatable (e.g., with glasses or cataract surgery).

There’s also a link between poor vision, less social contact, and cognitive decline, so staying socially active could help.

Bottom line: Don’t skip your eye check-ups, they may tell us more than just how well you see.

The eyes are a window to the brain – and this outward extension of the central nervous system may reveal early signs of cognitive decline.

19/11/2025

🌍 International Men’s Day 💙

Today, we celebrate the positive impact men make in our families, workplaces, and communities. It’s also a time to highlight the importance of men’s health and wellbeing, physical, mental, and emotional.

Let’s take a moment to check in with the men in our lives, have an open conversation, and remind them that seeking help and support is a sign of strength. 💪

Together, we can build a world where every man feels valued, supported, and connected.