The following is a summary of 2025’s Eastern Suburbs Older Persons Mental Health Service forum. This year’s theme was Ageing with Confidence: Maintaining Mental Health and Safety.
As we age, various life changes and challenges can contribute to anxiety, depression and diminishing confidence.
The Eastern Suburbs Older Persons Mental Health Service hosts annual positive ageing forums to give older people across the district access to the latest research on ageing and mental health, empowering older people stay informed and connected to resources that promote wellbeing.
The theme for this year’s forum was Ageing with Confidence: Maintaining Mental Health and Safety.
On ageing: Robyn Williams AO
This year’s keynote speaker was veteran journalist and broadcaster Robyn Williams AO, best known for hosting ABC’s The Science Show.
Speaking ‘On Ageing’, Robyn, now 81, Robyn shared he shared that he had already outlived his parents and brother, who all passed away by the age of 60.
Robyn attributed his good health to following the advice of experts - eating well, drinking alcohol only in moderation and exercising regularly, including resistance training.
Robyn also raised concerns about the impact of constant digital connectivity, noting that “technology drives us to be ‘on’ all the time,” which can distort relationships and have unknown consequences for brain health.
Opening the door on elder abuse
Elizabeth Shaw and Fiona Tait from Relationships Australia addressed the serious and often hidden issue of elder abuse, which affects one in six older Australians.
They explained that psychological abuse, typically committed by close relatives such as a spouse, child or sibling, is the most common form.
Risk factors include social isolation, poor mental health, and stressful life changes - while maintaining a strong social network and speaking up about mistreatment are important protective factors. “Ageism is the single biggest obstacle to the detection and recognition of elder abuse,” they said.
Navigating dementia and challenging behaviours
Author and clinician Dr Deb Graves OAM spoke movingly about her experience caring for her husband with dementia, chronicled in her book To Dementia With Love.
Rejecting conventional approaches early in the journey, Deb chose to prioritise joy and dignity, continuing activities she and her husband loved such as travel, dining out, and attending the opera.
“I knew my husband better than anyone else. We chose our own path” she said.
Deb encouraged anyone concerned about changes in memory or behaviour to seek professional advice early and shared five practical tips for anyone navigating the dementia journey:
there is no rulebook
focus on dignity in everyday life; preserve connection and respect
accept help and build your team
hold onto joy
remember love is stronger than dementia.
Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Honorary Medical Officer of the Older Persons’ Mental Health Service at Prince of Wales Hospital and Co-Director of CHeBA, presented Risks and Strategies for Changed Behaviours in dementia.
Henry explained that addressing behavioural symptoms is crucial, not only because they can be distressing, but because they are linked with poorer outcomes, higher hospitalisation rates, and greater costs of care.
“Challenging behaviours should be understood in context. They can often be improved by modifying the environment and understanding the person’s history, habits, and triggers” he said.
Henry outlined four key contributing factors to consider:
social environment - too much or too little stimulation and social isolation
interpersonal relationships - conflict or mistreatment
psychological factors - fear, frustration, anxiety, or depression
biological factors - underlying disease processes or infections causing delirium.
He cautions that the use of medications to manage challenging behaviours should always be a last resort.
Avoiding scams
In 2024 alone, nearly half a million Australians reported being scammed, with total losses exceeding $2 billion. Dung Nguyen from the National Anti-Scam Centre offered practical advice on how to Avoid Scams. Dung explained that scammers rely on impersonation, urgency and emotion to deceive their victims, and urged people to remember three key words: “Stop. Check. Protect.”
“If something doesn’t feel right, stop, fact-check, and talk to someone you trust,” said Dung.