AS Australia faces a growing dementia challenge, the fight against the disease has become deeply personal for local Naomi Ferstera.
The founder of The Healthy Ageing Project lost her mother to dementia earlier this year after a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, an experience that has only strengthened her determination to help others understand the steps they can take to protect their brain health and age well.
Now, the Ipswich researcher, health professional and PhD candidate is on a mission to translate complex scientific research into practical advice, empowering Australians to make lifestyle changes that could significantly improve their health and wellbeing as they age.
“Dementia is something I never want another family to go through if it can be prevented,” Ms Ferstera said.
“It is devastating to watch someone you love slowly lose pieces of themselves.”
With more than 25 years of experience spanning personal training, nutrition, education and health research, Ms Ferstera is currently completing a PhD through the University of Queensland examining how exercise can improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
“We have a lot more control than many people realise,” she said. “It’s often doom and gloom when people hear about dementia, but this is really a message of hope.
“We all have to age, but how we age is largely within our control,” she said.
