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Dementia Care student providing person first approach to aged care

Denise Edwards’ mission to improve dementia care within aged care facilities has been driven by her father, however he is not one of the 400,000+ Australians living with the disease. It’s his passion for life, determination and attitude to always take the opportunity of trying something new that has inspired the aged care worker originally from the U.K.

Taking on his attitude, Denise entered the Dementia Training Australia Storytelling competition to share her story along with her vision for a future aged care model that is based on salutogenic approaches. Currently in Australia and around the world, residential aged care facilities generally operate in a medical model of care. This approach makes health needs a priority without taking into consideration lifestyle elements that are important to the individual.

‘Whilst excellent health care must be provided to people living with dementia, research informs us of the importance of providing a model of care that sees the person first before their dementia. This supports the person by recognising their strengths and what they can do rather than what they can't do, where excellent health care is provided discreetly.’ explained Denise.

For her entry in the competition, Denise was awarded second prize and hopes that by winning the award she can inspire aged care leaders, politicians and key government leaders to build villages within aged care facilities that are based on the salutogenic principles presented within her story. It would also provide an environment that would allow her inspiring father to thrive as an elderly person.

To complement her work in aged care and the vision she has for dementia in the future, Denise is also studying in the Bachelor of Dementia Care at the University of Tasmania’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. The course has allowed Denise to reflect and improve on her practices within aged care whilst gaining a deeper understanding of dementia.

‘The Bachelor of Dementia Care has helped me to challenge practice, reflect on my own practice and increase my knowledge about dementia. It provides up to date information and resources that I pass on to service providers to assist them to further improve the care and environments that support people living with dementia. It also gives me more confidence to advocate for people living with dementia.’ she said.


Make a change now

Applications to study the Bachelor of Dementia Care in 2019 are now open!

If you think there might be a barrier to you studying, think again. The course is taught fully online, and can be studied part-time. Plus, there are no prerequisites required to apply. As part of our mission to change aged care in Australia we also provide scholarships to all eligible students.

Find out more today at utas.edu.au/wicking/bdc

Published on: 12 Oct 2018 11:34am