Skip to content

New Research Projects Aimed at Improving the Life of Adults with Dementia

Generic Wicking News

Research into dementia has received a boost, with the University of Tasmania's Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre securing close to $150,000 in Dementia Collaborative Research Centres' (DCRC) national grants.

The first grant of $99,752 will fund research into the reduction of aspiration pneumonia in adults with dementia in residential care, through sustained and effective oral care.

The 12 month project will start this June and be based in two Tasmanian residential care facilities.

The team of researchers is headed up by Dr Lyn Goldberg, a Tasmanian Speech Pathologist who has over 30 years experience working with adults with dementia, specialising in oral care.

Dr Goldberg recently returned to Tasmania after working in the United States in policy development and clinical care for adults with dementia who have communication and swallowing disorders.

This study is important considering many adults with dementia rely on others for their oral care to avoid mouth, teeth and gum disease and infections and the breathing of harmful bacteria into the lungs can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

"Our previous work has given us insight into the barriers that prevent systematic oral care," Dr Goldberg said.

"We are looking forward to collaborating with leaders and care staff within the facilities to improve the oral health of adults with dementia."

The second grant of close to $42,000 will be used by the Wicking Centre to investigate the provision of an online risk assessment of Alzheimer's disease.

The project will look at the Australian National University's Alzheimer's disease risk index (ANU-ADRI) and whether the combination of the index and a series of memory tasks, will provide a practical and easily accessible online risk assessment. 

"The project will be invaluable for developing appropriate tools for dementia risk reduction," Cognitive Neuro Scientist and project head Dr Maree Farrow said.

 It is estimated that around 400,000 Australians will be living with dementia by 2020, and around 900,000 by 2050.

The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, which sits within the University's Faculty of Health, is a leader in dementia research and has major research programs on the care, cause and prevention of dementia.

The Wicking Centre grants were two of 26 DCRC grants awarded across a spectrum of areas, including prevention and assessment, treatment, and care of people living with dementia.

Published on: 26 May 2016 1:29pm