For many actors, the most difficult challenges are those they face on screen. But for Home and Away star Jessica Redmayne, life handed her a role she never wanted to play—the daughter of

a mother slowly fading away to dementia. Now 33, Jessica has chosen to speak openly about her family’s heartbreaking journey, breaking the silence around a disease often called the “elephant in the room.”

In a deeply emotional interview, the actress revealed how losing her beloved mum, Christine, to dementia two years ago reshaped her perspective on life, career, and advocacy.

Her words carry not only the weight of grief but also a determination to shine a light on an illness still too often pushed aside in public conversations.

The Elephant in the Room

“Dementia is something people are afraid of,” Jessica admitted. “It gets shoved under the carpet because there’s no cure. But that’s exactly why we need to talk about it, the same way we talk about other conditions. We can’t hide away from it—we have to take care of our brains.”

The actress has thrown her full support behind news.com.au and The Australian’s Think Again campaign, which aims to raise awareness of dementia, now one of the biggest killers in Australia. For Jessica, the cause is not just professional—it is personal, a mission born from lived experience.

“Being younger, I feel like it’s what I was destined to do,” she reflected. “I’m lucky to work in the industry I do, but the real gift is that I can use my platform to spread awareness far and wide. Honestly, I think this is more important than my career itself.”

A Painful Diagnosis

Jessica first noticed signs that something was wrong when she was just 19. Her mum, Christine—once a vibrant, charismatic woman—began showing subtle changes. Memory lapses, shifts in personality, and a growing sense that something was off.

It would take another five years for doctors to formally diagnose her with dementia. For the family, the confirmation was devastating, even if not entirely unexpected.

“I had already seen my nanna go through dementia,” Jessica explained. “So when Mum started showing the same symptoms, deep down we knew. But it was the elephant in the room. We carried on as if everything was fine until the diagnosis made it real.”

Once the truth was on paper, the family had no choice but to face it head-on. “That’s when it got harder. That’s when my dad Paul and I had to figure out how to navigate it all.”

A Daughter’s Determination

For Jessica, ignorance was not an option. Wanting to understand exactly what her mother was facing, she enrolled in an online university course with the University of Tasmania to study dementia.

“I didn’t really understand what was happening to her brain,” she admitted. “I knew she was forgetting things. I knew her personality had changed dramatically. But I needed to know more. I’m a proactive person, so I went out and found the information—even if it meant teaching myself.”

Her determination highlighted a painful truth: resources were not easy to find. “Because Mum was in her 50s, we didn’t know how to talk about what came next—full-time care, what the future would look like. I remember Dad going to the council for help, and they literally turned him away. It was devastating.”

It was only through chance conversations and persistence that Paul eventually found a community group run by Dementia Australia. Connecting with other families facing the same struggles provided much-needed guidance and support. But, Jessica emphasized, “It took us years to find those resources. Years.”

Lessons in Love and Courage

Despite the immense difficulties, Jessica insists she has no regrets. “Once someone is diagnosed, their life isn’t over. They’re not useless. They’re still there.”

She explained that people can live rich, fulfilling lives for many years after diagnosis. “The early stages can last five to eight years. During that time, they can still move, talk, and connect with you. It’s so important not to be afraid of the disease, because that person is still there—even if they can’t say your name.”

Her voice softened as she reflected on her time with her mother. “I don’t regret a second I spent with her. Even when she couldn’t make eye contact, just lying there, being there with her was everything. It was important to both of us.”

Jessica knows how easy it is for families to slip into denial, to shy away from confronting the disease. But she urges others to face it bravely. “It takes courage. But it’s worth it. Because being there for them not only gives them a richer life—it gives you a richer life too.”

Carrying Her Mum’s Legacy

Christine’s battle with dementia may have ended, but Jessica carries her mother’s spirit with her every day. “She was the most charismatic woman, full of life. Losing that side of her was heartbreaking. But even in her final days, she was still my mum. And I was proud to walk every step of that journey with her.”

Now, Jessica channels her grief into purpose. As an ambassador for Dementia Australia, she hopes to dismantle the stigma surrounding the disease and ensure families get the support they need sooner. “We can’t keep being afraid. We need to act, we need to talk, and we need to push for better understanding.”

From Soap Star to Advocate

While fans know Jessica best for her role in Home and Away, she insists that her advocacy is what gives her the deepest sense of fulfillment. “Acting is my passion, but this—this feels like my purpose.”

Her former co-stars have rallied around her cause. Jessica revealed that Home and Away veteran Lynne McGranger even approached her more than a year ago with the idea of exploring dementia on-screen through her character Irene. The storyline, though not yet confirmed, would mirror Jessica’s own experiences and highlight the importance of representation in popular culture.A Call for Change

Jessica’s message is clear: dementia must no longer be the elephant in the room. It is a disease that devastates families, drains resources, and challenges every notion of identity and love. Yet it is also a disease that can be faced with courage, compassion, and community.

“People shouldn’t feel ashamed or alone,” Jessica stressed. “The disease is brutal, but the person is still there. And being present for them—really present—can change everything.”

For Jessica Redmayne, the pain of losing her mother is an open wound. But it is also the fire that drives her. Through her advocacy, she is ensuring that Christine’s story—and the stories of countless others like her—are heard, acknowledged, and remembered.