Major dementia and brain health summit a near sell-out

Around 180 people attended a major Northern Sydney summit held this week to raise awareness of how to prevent and manage dementias, particularly those brought about through repeated concussions.

The Brain Health Summit was held at Hornsby RSL Club and jointly organised by Ku-ring-gai Council, Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre and the Ku-ring-gai Dementia Alliance, and funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

The summit was a near sell-out and attended by Northern Sydney residents, and representatives from sporting organisations and schools. The specialists and speakers who contributed to the evening praised Ku-ring-gai Council for shining a light on this vital issue for the community. 

Ku-ring-gai Mayor Sam Ngai said that at the summit a new 36-page information guide was made available called Understanding Dementia. The guide has been prepared to help educate the Northern Sydney community about dementia and available services and support.

The summit focussed on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a form of dementia linked to repeated head injuries, often experienced during contact sports.

Speakers at the summit included:

  • Renowned neurologist Dr. Rowena Mobbs who provided an overview of the future of CTE, emerging treatments and preventative measures.
  • Author and law lecturer David Thorpe who discussed the legal challenges and responsibilities that sporting organisations face regarding CTE.
  • Michael Lipman an ex-international rugby union player and author of “Concussion” who shared his personal experience of CTE.
  • Dementia expert Dr. Suraj Samtani who discussed dementia symptoms, reducing your risk and strategies for living well with dementia.

 

Mayor Ngai said that, due to Ku-ring-gai’s ageing population, the number of people with dementia in the LGA was expected to rise by 86% between 2024 and 2054 – the third highest growth rate in NSW.

“One of the forms of dementia, which has attracted a lot of attention in recent times, is CTE,” Mayor Ngai said. “This summit has played a valuable role bringing together some of the best experts in the field to present the latest evidence-based strategies to manage CTE”.

Mayor Ngai said the summit and the publication of the dementia guide was part of the council’s work to become a community certified as dementia-friendly by Dementia Australia. He thanked the NSW Department of Communities and Justice for contributing towards the Council’s work.

The Understanding Dementia guide is free and available in English, Simplified Chinese, Farsi and Korean languages at www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Community/Seniors/Dementia-friendly-communities

The print version will also be made available at the Council’s libraries and local chemists.             

Speakers at the 24 July Northern Sydney Brain Health Summit.jpg

Photo caption 1: From left to right author and law lecturer David Thorpe, Kayleen Doyle from CTE support organisation Connectors Australia, former rugby union player Michael Lipman and neurologist Dr. Rowena Mobbs, at the Brain Health Summit.

The Brain Health Summit underway.jpg

Photo caption 2: The Brain Health Summit in action

 

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Media enquiries: media@krg.nsw.gov.au or 9424 0000

 

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