Anne Fairhall

Dementia Australia and National Ageing Research Institute

Anne will speak about her Advocacy work with Dementia Australia, for people living with Dementia and their Carers, how this has influenced decision makers and some of the changes seen.

She will also speak about her current role as Chair of NARI (National Ageing Research Institute) PITCH Consumer Advisory Group, a NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) project to research and co-develop improved preparation for Family and Community Home Carers, to help promote independence for those living in the community with Dementia.

Before rearranging her life to become her husband’s full time Home Carer, Anne served on many Boards and Committees, was Managing Director of her own Management Consulting Business and had been a Senior Corporate Executive with National responsibilities.

She originally trained as a Registered Nurse and ran Operating Theatres, before becoming an early adopter of strategic Occupational Health and Safety management.

Her husband developed younger onset Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia over 25 years ago then aged 51 and is now in residential care, aged 78.

Her personal experience led Anne to become a determined advocate for those impacted by Dementia. She promotes the need for cultural and systemic change both nationally and at local levels, to better support and understand the needs of a person with Dementia, their families and Carers, and ageing more broadly.

She is currently Chair of the National Ageing Research Institute ‘PITCH’ Advisory Group, an Honorary member of Dementia Australia, active at State and National levels on Consumer Advisory Networks; a Member of the Department of Health and Human Services Reference Group on Quality in Public Sector Residential Aged Care.

She is a regular Guest Speaker; talks to Media and has many other interests….!

Anne was a 2016 Victorian Senior of the Year finalist and Winner of the 2016 COTA Senior Achiever’s Award.