\u201cI had noticed little things like sometimes I can\u2019t remember a word for something and words are what I really love,\u201d Wall said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband\u2019s got a great memory and he\u2019ll say, remember when we did something or other? And I\u2019ll go, no.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her GP referred her to the new Brain Care Clinic at Sydney\u2019s St Vincent\u2019s Hospital, an Australian-first program focused on tackling dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to be in a care home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The group follows a strict diet, exercise regime and sleep program. Blood pressure and cholesterol are tracked, as well as social connection and intense brain training.<\/p>\n
![\"Anne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ef5dddd1a971d00cbaebe3293cfd6a035cfd0dc9.jpg\")
Anne Wall started noticing her failure to remember things. Credit: 7NEWS![\"She\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f95fe005e8757055863d7c6c75b6efd178df6b2f.jpg\")
She\u2019s a primary school teacher. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
Patients will be tested at eight weeks, six months, then a year to see whether it worked.<\/p>\n
Training with Anne is 84-year-old Mary Lou and 69-year-old Jo Healy-North. Dementia runs in her family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a sister who has early onset, which is gruesome. It\u2019s just awful,\u201d Healy-North said.<\/p>\n
The brains behind the clinic believe up to 50 per cent of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle risks.<\/p>\n
Professor Bruce Brew, Senior Neurologist at St Vincent\u2019s, said there\u2019s good evidence it can work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s good evidence that it can be prevented at a population level. More likely it\u2019s delaying onset. But even delaying onset has significant advantages,\u201d Professor Brew said.<\/p>\n
![\"Jo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7dda89d1a2c5da703a0ccae42df1f186958948b1.jpg\")
Jo Healy-North\u2019s sister has early onset dementia. Credit: 7NEWS![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/75ce8667b1528d65bd4fe9b0364658ed705182e7.jpg\")
Some of the physical exercises at the clinic. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
Almost half a million Australians are living with dementia, now the country\u2019s leading cause of death.<\/p>\n
There is no cure for dementia, making prevention increasingly important.<\/p>\n
If this Australian-first approach proves successful, it could become a blueprint for hospitals around the country.<\/p>\n
Anne is hopeful for her future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be a grandmother this year. My first grandchild at Christmas. So that\u2019s very exciting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best gift.\u201d<\/p>\n