It is with great pleasure that we present our June newsletter. As noted below, we have just released our 2022 annual report. From the report, it is particularly pleasing that interest in our educational offering continues to grow, and it is great to hear how people who have done a short course (MOOC) or a formal degree have bene using their learning to support people with dementia.

We have always considered that those people that have an interest and take the time to build their expertise in the many facets of dementia are the champions for making a positive change for dementia. We have passed over 600,000 enrollees into the MOOCs and now over 2,000 graduates from our formal programs.

The report also highlights a number of our research projects, that run the gamut of cutting-edge laboratory studies through to clinical investigations as well as large scale cohort studies seeking to reduce the risk of dementia in the population. I also encourage you to read about some of our academic staff as well as research students that are driving these positive outcomes.

We have also included information about how you may be able to support the work of the Wicking Centre. Philanthropy has been an important facilitator of many of our research projects, allowing us to develop and implement new strategic projects. On our wish list for 2024 is to expand our dementia prevention initiative, ISLAND, to across Australia, and to support our novel interdisciplinary clinic model that has been shown to rapidly increase access to a diagnosis of dementia. We would be grateful if you may consider a donation to the Wicking Centre to support our major initiatives across education and research.  

Wicking Dementia Centre - 2022 Annual Report

The 2022 Annual Report of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is now available to view on our website. 2022 was a very successful year for research and grants, new large-scale funding was secured for areas such as stem cell research for childhood dementia and motor neuron disease through to new approaches to detecting dementia. Click here to read more about our activities that are highlighted in this report.

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Guest Presenter: Dr Nathan D'Cunha

Dr Nathan D'Cunha was a guest speaker at the Wicking Dementia Centre during May. Nathan is an early career researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Canberra (UC) with a research focus on non-pharmacological interventions for people with dementia and carers. His PhD investigated the effects of the National Gallery Art and Dementia program and its impact on stress responses.

Nathan is currently researching a multicomponent post-diagnostic support program for people with dementia and their carers and is involved in several projects on dementia care, and nutrition and healthy ageing. 

Nathan presented to staff and students at the Wicking Dementia Centre the current dementia services offered in the ACT region from both a research and practice perspective and some of the gaps common to other areas of Australia. It was a very informative presentation and provided some great insights into dementia care and support. 

Are you one of the 1.5 million people that are involved in dementia care?

Join a supportive group of carers, both personal and professional as you learn how to care for those affected by dementia. Study online, without tuition fees from July 2023.

Studying dementia has never been easier or more affordable, if you would like to expand your knowledge of dementia care, here’s some good news!

Take advantage of studying the Diploma of Dementia Care for FREE – for domestic students commencing study in July 2023, we’re offering the Diploma of Dementia Care with a 100% HECS waiver (conditions apply).

If you would like to find out more about the Diploma of Dementia Care, please register for our webinar.

• Date: Thursday 15 June 2023
• Time: 12.30pm - 30 min lunch time session
• Register: Click here to register http://surl.li/hohfm 

Enrich your career and make a positive difference to the lives of others – study our Diploma of Dementia Care from July 2023.

Upcoming Staying at Home Programs - Tasmania

Staying at Home is a free carer wellbeing and respite program for people living with dementia and their family carers. As part of the program, the organisation invites up to six couples to a retreat for two days/three nights to participate in a diverse program of support.

If you are interested in participating in the program, we invite up to six couples to participate in a diverse program of support, the following dates are available.

• Steeles Island Retreat, Carlton Beach - Tuesday 13 – Thursday 15 June
• Vaucluse Estate, Conara - Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 September
• Vaucluse Estate, Conara - Tuesday 24 – Thursday 26 October 

Read more

Register to attend a free information session on childhood dementia.

Register to attend the Childhood Dementia Initiative’s free introductory information session on childhood dementia in Hobart.

•  What: Childhood Dementia: An Introduction. A 60-minute free information session, with the option to stay for a 30-minute networking conversation. Presented by Joanne Kershaw, Manager: Lived Experience Program, Childhood Dementia Initiative and Tony Cook, Associate Professor, Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre.
• When: 12-1.30pm Wednesday 14 June 2023
• Where: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre,17 Liverpool Street, Hobart
• Registrations: Click here to register now!

This session is ideal for health and social care workers, educators, service providers, researchers, parents, carers and policy makers who would like to learn about the causes, symptoms and impacts of childhood dementia. 

Your attendance can help improve quality of life and support for children and families. In Australia:

• Approximately 1 in every 100 people diagnosed with dementia are children.
• Most are not expected to reach adulthood.
• They face complex challenges and families report difficulty in having their unique needs met.

Childhood Dementia Initiative is building greater understanding of childhood dementia in order to improve care, research and policy responses to children and their families.

Engaging in participatory community-based arts: Perspectives of people living with dementia

For people living with dementia, participatory community-based art activities have the potential to enhance the dignity of the individual, reaffirm a sense of identity, and provide social engagement.

To identify opportunities to enhance the inclusion of people living with dementia in participatory community-based arts activities, this study sought the insights of people living with dementia. People living with dementia were invited to participate in semi structured group interviews to share their insights about participatory community-based arts activities.

Interviews were analyzed thematically to explore perceptions of benefits, opportunities, and ways to enhance participation in such activities. Participation in community arts was perceived to deliver benefits to social engagement and potentially reduce stigma through offering an education opportunity.

Three key areas were identified as ways to enhance the engagement of people with dementia:

1. Knowing about the existing opportunities,
2. Accessing the activities (in terms of transport, venue proximity, timing, and wayfinding), and
3. Receiving support while attending the activity.

Adequate information, easy access, a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the facilitators’ enabling approach, and a judgement-free environment are desirable features which are congruent with dementia-inclusive arts activities. Enhanced engagement of people living with dementia may reduce stigma and improve community education. 

For more information see; Bazooband, A., Courtney-Pratt, H., Tierney, L., & Doherty, K. (2023). Engaging in participatory community-based arts: Perspectives of people living with dementia. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2023, Article ID 3088449. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3088449

Please donate today!

The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, wants to support people with dementia and their carers by focusing on the cause, care and prevention of the major diseases underlying dementia. A condition which has robbed so many people of precious time with those they cherish.

By making a donation you can make a real difference for future generations in the field of dementia research and education. More than 500,000 people across the world have enrolled in our Dementia MOOCs. These free courses are transforming the understanding of dementia worldwide, educating carers, families and professionals to improve the quality of life of people with dementia, and helping others reduce their risk of developing the disease.

Every gift, regardless of size, will help support our education and research programs. Please consider giving now to support the work of the Wicking Dementia Centre.

Please Donate Today

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