Last updated: 27 Mar 2013
Keep in touch 1800 982 600 Email Wicking
Co-Directors' Message
Welcome to our first Wicking eNewsletter. We've been around since 2008 and our research focuses on understanding the variety of diseases that cause dementia and how they affect brain cells. We're also improving the quality of care for people with dementia through innovative projects such as the Nurse-Led Memory Clinic and Community of Practice in Dementia Care. Please view our website for more details at www.utas.edu.au/wicking.
Feature Project
Dementia Care Dialogues is a recently completed DoHA funded project run by the Wicking Centre with Curtin University and ACU. Advancing our knowledge about how to best support aged care staff and family members in understanding that dementia is a terminal condition, this project developed and trialled strategies to assist staff to adopt best practice approaches in palliative care for people with dementia.
News
$1m grant for the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project from the NHMRC to test the theory that studying at university later in life may have a protective effect on the brain – launch by UTAS Dean of Health Science Prof Ray Playford in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hobart on Friday, 16 September 2011.
$2000 donated to the Wicking Centre from two recent funerals of people who died with dementia. Thank you for thinking of Wicking.
Upcoming Events
Tasmanian Aged Care Facilities Program launch by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, at Peacehaven Masonic Homes, Newstead, Launceston, on Wednesday, 5 Oct (8am).TACFP Web site
Seniors Week – Thursday 6 Oct (9am) Wicking Open Day and talks about dementia research – the causes, symptoms, our research in nursing homes and the community. At Medical Science 1, Liverpool St, Hobart. RSVP 1800 982 600 or email Suzie Castillo. Read more
Profile
Dr Sharon Andrews completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree at UTAS and practiced in palliative care and aged care for 5 years. Seeing opportunities to improve the way we provide palliative care to people with dementia she pursued a PhD in action research and is now a post-doctoral Research Fellow in WDREC and also an NHMRC TRIP Fellow (Translating Research into Practice) exploring strategies to enhance staff-family relationships in aged care.
How Can You Help?
You can volunteer for a project! Have you considered going to study at UTAS? If you are 50-79 years old and can study at least one unit per semester for at least a year, please consider becoming a participant on the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project. More information at www.utas.edu.au/healthy-brain.
Previous Wicking eNews editions and other news articles
Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is philanthropically funded by the JO & JR Wicking Trust (managed by ANZ Trustees)
Editor: Di Carter | Designer: Tony Carew