TDFRC • The Dementia Foundation Research Centre

Centre for Applied Dementia Research

Advancing the science of living with dementia

At The Dementia Foundation, we believe that understanding dementia goes beyond diagnosis, treatment and clinical care. Through applied social science research, we are advancing the science of living with dementia, with a particular focus on young onset dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Explore our governance framework and read the full document here.

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93%

Projected increase in people living with dementia by 2054

41%

Projected increase in people living with young onset dementia by 2054

92.7%

Projected increase in people living with dementia across regional and remote areas

Research through a human lens

Dr Hajar Ziaeifar, PhD, MPH

Research Officer at TDF | PhD in Health Services Management
Master of Public Health | Public Health Researcher

Hajar brings a passion for public health, community wellbeing and evidence based research to The Dementia Foundation. With a background in health promotion, public health research and community health initiatives, she has contributed to projects addressing healthy ageing, dementia care and the needs of diverse and underserved communities.

Her work combines research and a strong commitment to culturally responsive approaches that put people first. At the Centre for Applied Research, Hajar is focused on translating scientific research into meaningful insights that create opportunities for a better everyday experience for people living with dementia and those who support them.

what we do

The science of living with dementia

Living well with dementia is about more than access to care. It is about maintaining independence, staying connected to communities, making meaningful choices and receiving support that responds to individual needs.

At The Dementia Foundation Research Centre (TDFRC), we believe research should go beyond understanding people’s experiences to measuring what truly makes a difference in their lives.

Our focus is on developing evidence based frameworks that evaluate the quality, effectiveness and real world outcomes of dementia related social services across Australia’s NDIS and Aged Care sectors.

With the goal to become an academic leader in the development and ongoing validation of dementia specific Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs), we are investing in innovative approaches and tools to help us better understand the impact of care and support from the perspective of the people receiving it.

research areas

Psychological

Wellbeing, Relationships and Behaviour

Social Policy Research

NDIS, Aged Care, Funding Models and Accessibility

Community Research

Regional Inclusions, Housing and Social Participation

research areas

Outcomes Research

PROM, PREM and Longitudinal Studies

Health Economics

Productivity and SROI

Workforce Research

Training, Placements and Capability

Embedded Doctoral Research Program

Take your research
beyond the university

What if your PhD research could help shape the future of dementia care and support?

We’re working towards establishing an Embedded Doctoral Research Program that brings academic research closer to the people and communities it aims to benefit. Through partnerships with universities, PhD candidates will have the opportunity to undertake research within The Dementia Foundation while completing their university studies.

We’re interested in connecting with passionate PhD candidates and academic partners who share our vision for advancing dementia research and improving the lives of people living with dementia.

Join us in helping shape the
future of dementia research.

Register Now

Research Insights

Explore our latest research and emerging trends into living well with dementia.

Young onset dementia: when life changes earlier than expected

For many people, dementia is something that happens in older age and begins with memory loss. But what if the first signs appeared in your 40s or 50s?

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