What is Cassandra's Compass?

Cassandra's Compass is the complete aged care platform — Whether you're a family carer managing day-to-day support, an aged care nurse or healthcare professional, a student building clinical knowledge, or someone newly diagnosed — Cassandra's Compass is your compass: one trusted source, complete care - clinical education, daily care tools, professional templates, legislation, research, and peer support all in one place. Track medications, appointments, and daily care. Access 20+ printable clinical templates (Medication Charts, Incident Reports, Shift Planners). Learn dementia neuroscience in The Brain Lab. Read Australian legislation and rights guides. Join community discussions with carers and care workers who understand. Everything is grounded in current Australian and international research — updated as the science evolves, never outdated.

Cassandra's Compass

Weekly Newsletter

Your Sunday morning digest of everything dementia and aged care — research, awards, books, fundraising, services, and legislation.

Issue #11

Week of 11 October 2026

Latest issue

Welcome to a special edition of Cassandra's Compass Weekly. This week's feature is a Hall of Fame tribute to Distinguished Professor Emeritus James Vickers, at the top of this issue.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame: Distinguished Professor Emeritus James Vickers

University of Tasmania, and co-founder of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre

Portrait of Distinguished Professor Emeritus James Vickers

Photo: from Professor James Vickers' public profile

This week we are proud to welcome Distinguished Professor Emeritus James Vickers into the Cassandra's Compass Hall of Fame. In 2008, with Professor Andrew Robinson, James co-founded the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. The idea was simple and bold: bring dementia research and education together, and open the learning to everyone.

The numbers behind that idea

18 years since the Centre was founded
700,197 enrolments in its free online courses by the end of 2023 (Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, Annual Report 2023)
455,012 enrolments in Understanding Dementia alone by the end of 2025 (Annual Report 2025)
Six free courses and 78 hours of free learning, from dementia and its prevention to Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, childhood dementia and brain injury
A pathway from free learning to a Diploma, a Bachelor of Dementia Care and a Master's degree
498 research outputs, 126 funded research projects and 46 supervision and teaching records listed on his University of Tasmania profile

A researcher, a teacher and an advocate

James has spent decades studying Alzheimer's disease, brain plasticity and dementia risk reduction. He is a Past-President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society and a past Board Member of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation. In 2024 he delivered the David Wallace Address at the Australian Association of Gerontology conference. He has also spoken up for the people who deliver care, arguing that aged care workers need specialised dementia training. That belief runs through everything he has built.

A note from Cassandra

Of everything we celebrate in the Hall of Fame, this entry is especially close to my heart.

My education through the Wicking Centre at the University of Tasmania, the Centre Professor Vickers co-founded, has shaped my career, my studies, my working life and my personal life. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to provide quality care for people living with dementia, and the ability to teach and lead others to do the same.

The Centre serves everyone touched by dementia: its free courses are open to family carers, students, aged care workers and health professionals alike, and its degrees are there for those who want to study further. I have seen first-hand that education like this changes care. It builds skilled, confident carers and staff, and that means safer, kinder, more person-centred care for the people they look after. Dementia education in aged care is not a nice-to-have. It is essential, and every family carer and health professional benefits from it too.

In many ways, the path has come full circle: what I learned through the Centre is part of the foundation of everything I have built, including Cassandra’s Compass.

Professor Vickers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the difference you have made to my career, and to the people I have cared for.

If you work in aged care, study it, or care for someone at home, I encourage you to begin with one of the Centre’s free courses.

His work gave aged care a better way to learn, and gave me a better way to care.

Cassandra Stokes

Founder, Cassandra’s Compass

Read his full tribute Start with a free course

If you lead an aged care or dementia service, put your people through these courses. They are free. The University of Tasmania also currently offers the Diploma of Dementia Care with a full HECS scholarship for eligible domestic students; check the University for current eligibility.

James, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have helped change how Australia learns about dementia, and how well we care.

Below: this week's jobs and research, as usual.

Australian Research & Clinical Trials

Public awareness

New research says we are not talking about dementia enough

Dementia Australia has released new research indicating that public conversation regarding dementia remains insufficient. The findings highlight the need for greater awareness and open dialogue to support the 1.

Why it matters: Reducing the stigma and increasing open discussion about dementia is vital for improving support systems and quality of life for both people living with the condition and their carers.

Source: Dementia Australia

Therapy development

UQ innovators progress therapies to tackle dementia

Two research teams at the University of Queensland are advancing new therapies aimed at treating dementia and cognitive decline.

Clinical trials

Clinical dementia trials need more volunteers

A recent report highlights that while the world is on the cusp of a revolution in dementia treatments, progress is being hindered by recruitment challenges.

Early detection

$2.5m boost for UTAS test spotting dementia risk early

The University of Tasmania has received $2. 5 million in federal funding to further develop 'TasTest', an AI-driven tool that analyzes hand movements, speech, and language.

Practical Care Spotlight

Take a moment to review one care routine this week — small adjustments to communication, environment, or routine can significantly reduce agitation and improve quality of life for people living…

Take a moment to review one care routine this week — small adjustments to communication, environment, or routine can significantly reduce agitation and improve quality of life for people living with dementia.

Feature Highlight

Music Therapy

Curated playlists and guidance on using music to reduce agitation and spark connection.

Awards & Recognition

Cassandra's Compass Awards — Nominate Someone

Know a carer, nurse, volunteer, or community member who quietly gives everything for someone living with dementia?

Know a carer, nurse, volunteer, or community member who quietly gives everything for someone living with dementia? Take two minutes to nominate them — weekly spotlights, monthly honourees, and annual awards. Every nomination is read aloud to the winner.

Books & Papers

Book Club Pick of the Week

Visit the Bookworm Hub for this week's featured dementia care book — includes discussion questions and community reviews.

Fundraising & Grants

Support Cassandra’s Compass

Contributions help with the running costs of Cassandra’s Compass.

Practical Care, Jobs & Resources

Practical Care & JobsNew

Take a moment to review one care routine this week — small…

Practical Care & Jobs

Resident Experience Lead

Summerset — Cranbourne North, Casey Area. Full-time. Company Description You can help bring our villages to life!

Practical Care & Jobs

Recreational Activity Officers – Aged Care in Little Bay

Mark Moran Group Pty — Little Bay, Eastern Suburbs. Full-time.

Practical Care & Jobs

Lifestyle Coordinator

For Purpose Aged Care — Carey Park, Bunbury Area. Full-time. A Unique Opportunity – Join Us From the Ground Up Be part of something special from day one.