Professor Councillor George Razay is a physician, geriatrician, and the Director of the Memory Disorders Clinic and Dementia Research at Launceston General Hospital. He recently released a book, Dementia: A New Hope.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Syria, trained in England to become a specialist in general and geriatric medicine before moving to Sydney and later settling in Launceston to practice medicine in 1997.

Tell us a bit about what you do. I am professor, physician, and geriatrician and director of the Memory Disorders Clinic and Dementia Research Centre at the Launceston General Hospital. I am also a councillor at the Launceston City Council and was 2021 Tasmanian Australian of the Year nominee. My other interests include being a saxophonist, tap and jazz dancer and amateur viticulturist. These hobbies are not just a way of spending downtime, but an active attempt at practising what I preach: “The older you get, the harder you should work, but more importantly it is about taking on a new challenge”. I have extensive research experience in the field of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), especially in the role of vascular risk factors.

Why are you personally interested in studying and talking about dementia? The prevalence of dementia and AD is increasing rapidly with the ageing population worldwide, and it has become the second leading cause of death in Australia. Although there is still no available treatment that halts or reverses AD, our understanding of the pathology, risk factors, genetics, diagnosis, and social and medical care have increased enormously. Over the last 28 years, I have been privileged to be involved in the clinical management of patients with memory disorders and dementia in the Memory Disorders Clinic, and in an acute setting at the Launceston General Hospital through my role as a full-time physician and geriatrician. This gave me great insight into the problems related to dementia disorders and helped in focusing my research interests on the prevention and treatment of dementia disorders. My new book is based on my life journey through research by identifying risk and protective factors in AD, as well as looking at the impact of exercise on cognition and physical wellbeing in people with AD.

Tell us about the book, Dementia: A New Hope. Most of the book’s teachings are based on what I have learned in my personal search for risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia disorders, AD, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. I have tried to write this book in language and thought forms that are accessible to everyday readers. I therefore hope that this book will help change the stigma toward dementia, particularly AD, and give people hope that some forms of dementia disorders can be prevented and treated. I also wanted to share some of the practical steps I am taking in pursuit of healthy ageing. I very much hope that this book will be helpful to the public, patients, carers, and those practically involved in the care of dementia.

What are some of the most common misconceptions around dementia you’ve encountered? Unfortunately, there is still a lack of public understanding of dementia, with widespread misconceptions that dementia is an inevitable consequence of ageing and the false view that nothing can be done to help people with dementia. All of these make patients, carers, and health professionals feel that there is not much that can be done to help, and therefore, there is no urgency in seeking early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. It’s no wonder the stigma around dementia has not changed much. Although the risk of dementia increases with old age, dementia is not a natural part of ageing. In my public presentations, I often ask the question, “What are the causes of dementia?” and get the answer, “old age”. I respond by saying, “Old age is not a disease and dementia is not an inevitable consequence of old age”. People can reach old age without symptoms of dementia and the majority of people are well, healthy, and enjoy an active life.

Parting words? Although ageing is inevitable, a great deal can be done to slow cognitive and physical decline by taking care of your body and mind. Moreover, adopting healthy lifestyle habits throughout life like physical activities, social engagements, mentally challenging occupations, creative hobbies and a high education level can create a “cognitive reserve” and protect against cognitive decline and dementia in old age. I often meet people in their nineties, and they still look physically and mentally very well. They often live a very active and enjoyable life. We should remain active throughout life and should not look at old age as a time to slow down and take it easy. It is important to do jobs that you enjoy and take on new challenges, things that you have never done before.