September 2021 Newsletter View in browser  |  Print
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Professor James Vickers

Welcome to our September newsletter

One of the great aspects of working in the Wicking Dementia Centre is that we hear from a range of people about how our educational and research programs have had an impact on their lives and how care is provided for people with dementia.

In this regard, we were delighted to have been contacted by Rowena Howard to hear about how her family has tailored the care for her father, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2016. Rowena and her family have developed some fabulous film content about how providing care for her father on a farm and near the bush has supported his quality of life. You will find a link to their first episode in a series to be developed below.

Rowena and her family have also kindly agreed to assist us in our annual giving appeal. We are reaching out to the community to consider supporting us in advancing the educational and research initiatives of the Wicking Dementia Centre. We would be very grateful for any level of support you are able to provide, and you can be assured that this will enable us to support and extend our programs to help make a difference for those living with dementia.

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WHAT'S NEW
Why we have an annual donation appeal Congratulations to our August graduates

Why we have an annual donation appeal

Congratulations to our August graduates

This short film was created by Rowena Howard to capture her journey caring for a father with Alzheimer's disease. 

You can learn more about their experience in the Wicking Dementia Centre annual fundraising appeal which will arrive in your inbox later this month. The appeal will provide details on how to make a tax-deductible donation for those wishing to give a gift to support dementia research and education at the Wicking Dementia Centre or you can give now via this link

View Rowena's video

We wish to acknowledge the amazing achievement of our August graduates. We were able to celebrate with some graduates at a ceremony in Hobart last month, but many were unable to attend in person due to travel restrictions.

Your commitment and dedication is truly inspiring and a shining example of the strong desire within the health and aged care sector to make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

Read more about our courses
OUR EDUCATION
Can you reduce your risk of dementia? Why should I look at university study?

Can you reduce your risk of dementia?

Why should I look at university study?

With the ageing of the world’s population, dementia is a major public health issue. Is it possible to modify your risk of dementia? A substantial proportion of risk is associated with advanced ageing, but the latest research has indicated there are factors you can modify which may decrease your susceptibility to dementia.

The Preventing Dementia MOOC investigates the best available evidence about dementia prevention, drawing on a range of expertise from around the globe.

Enrol today for our October PD MOOC

Gaining the knowledge to make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia involves dedication and commitment over the duration of your study.

The benefits of studying dementia care over several months or even years is beyond doubt. It can have a transformative effect on students' confidence and sense of what's possible for them. Current students and graduates give testament to how life-changing education is and how the knowledge gained contributes to the development of their careers and improves the care they can provide. 

Hear from our graduates
OUR RESEARCH
New project raises awareness of traumatic brain injury How we are helping our GPs understand more about dementia

New project raises awareness of traumatic brain injury

How we are helping our GPs understand more about dementia

A new Tasmanian research project assesses current Australian awareness of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to identify gaps in community knowledge that can lead to poor outcomes for individuals living with TBI.

We will use innovative educational tools that include stories of lived experience and visual arts to broaden Australians’ understanding of TBI. Education will cover the spectrum of injury from mild through to moderate-severe as well as the journey from the initial injury through to moving back into the community. 

Read more

Graduating with a PhD – Doctor of Philosophy – is one of the highest postgraduate achievements you can earn. This involves developing an original body of research that expands the current knowledge on a subject.

Completing a PhD is no small undertaking and takes several years.

We are very pleased that our latest PhD recipient, Dr Ron Mason, graduated in our August round of graduations in Hobart. His focus related to GPs and their attitudes and confidence in the diagnosis and management of dementia.

Read more about Ron's project
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY
Raising awareness of dementia risk reduction Dementia Prevention and Well-being Expo in Devonport

Raising awareness of dementia risk reduction

Dementia Prevention and Well-being Expo in Devonport

RUN for the ISLAND is an initiative of the ISLAND Project and aims to raise awareness of dementia risk reduction and promote physical activity in the community.

A group of ISLAND researchers will be running across Tasmania in December stopping at various centres to give talks and encourage community members to ask questions about risk reduction and what’s involved in the ISLAND Project.

Follow them on Facebook and learn more about this activity and where the team will be stopping enroute.

Find out more

On Thursday 23 September, during Dementia Action Week, The ISLAND Project will be hosting a Dementia, Prevention and Well-being expo at the Devonport paranaple Convention Centre from 10 am to 2 pm.

The ISLAND Project, St Lukes Health, Dementia Australia, the Cancer Council, and many others will be onsite to connect residents to local services and activities supporting their health and well-being. 

Come along to our free expo, bring your friends, and take the time to engage with the exhibitors to discover how you can enhance your health and well-being.

Find out more
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis MOOC Do you want to help with dementia research?

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis MOOC

Do you want to help with dementia research?

Understanding MS is a free online course that aims to improve understanding and awareness of MS around the world. Through this course, you can increase your knowledge of MS-related issues and, for those in the MS community, be empowered to create and contribute to personalised MS management plans.

The next course starts on 13 September, so enrol today.

Enrol today

StepUp for Dementia Research is a free matching service that connects people interested in dementia research with researchers conducting studies into dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and cure.

Anyone aged 18 and over – both with and without dementia – can register their interest, which can take as little as five minutes. 

Please sign up today or call 1800-7837-123. StepUp for Dementia Research is delivered by the University of Sydney.

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CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B | ABN 30 764 374 782