Professor Henry Brodaty AO named 2026 Senior Australian of the Year – reshaping dementia care for all ages
Professor Henry Brodaty AO has been named the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year in recognition of his decades-long contribution to dementia research, brain health and advocacy for older Australians. A leading figure in dementia prevention and care, Brodaty’s work has shaped national and international understanding of ageing, improved support for people living with dementia, and strengthened recognition of the vital role carers play across the aged care system.
Professor Henry Brodaty AO has been named the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year, recognised for decades of transformative work in dementia research, prevention and support. The announcement was made at the Australian of the Year Awards ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra on 25 January 2026.
At 78, Brodaty is one of Australia’s foremost voices in brain health and dementia care. His career has spanned clinical work, research and public health advocacy – driven deeply by personal experience when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1972. At that time, understanding of dementia was limited and services for people living with the condition and their carers were scarce.
Brodaty’s influence is far-reaching:
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Co-founder of UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, a globally recognised research hub advancing prevention, early diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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A public advocate for lifelong brain health, emphasising prevention and risk reduction through evidence-based lifestyle and clinical approaches.
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A champion for carers and people living with dementia, pushing for better services, support and understanding across health and community systems.
In his acceptance speech, Brodaty emphasised that the honour was for all who are older – and for the families and carers standing alongside them. He reiterated calls for a national strategy on brain health, likening the need for widespread public awareness to earlier public health campaigns such as “slip, slop, slap”.
Dementia is now one of Australia’s leading causes of death and a growing public health challenge. Brodaty’s voice – bridging research, care and community support – brings crucial attention to how Australia prepares for an ageing population facing neurological conditions.
His recognition as Senior Australian of the Year underscores not just lifetime achievement, but the ongoing need to elevate support, research and resources for dementia care – outcomes that resonate deeply within the aged care sector and for families navigating complex care journeys.
Photo credit: NADC/Salty Dingo
