Profiles
Helga Merl
Helga Merl
Lecturer and PhD Candidate
Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre
Room Office N128 , Newnham Campus
0447 830 664 (phone)
Helga Merl is a Lecturer Dementia and Endorsed Nurse Practitioner Aged/Dementia Care at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. Helga’s interests include early and timely diagnosis, Memory Wellness Programs, Palliative Dementia Care and enabling environments for people living with dementia.
Biography
Before joining the University of Tasmania, Helga developed and convened the Master Nurse Practitioner Program for the school of Nursing and the Associate Degree Integrated Care in Ageing for the School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle (Aus). Prior to that Helga has held senior management and leadership roles in Aged and Dementia Care including, most recently, the National Clinical Services manager for Integrated Living Australia and the Dementia Care Lead for UnitingCare Ageing NSW/ACT.
Career summary
Qualifications
Career qualifications | Australian Institution | Date of award |
PhD Medicine (Dementia) | University of Newcastle | 2018-current |
Understanding Dementia MOOC | University of Tasmania | 2014 |
Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) | University of Newcastle | 2013 |
Master of Health Science – Aged Care Services Management | Victoria University | 2010 |
Accelerated Implementation Methodology | Hunter New England Health | 2009 |
Living With Memory Loss facilitators course | Alzheimer’s Australia NSW | 2009 |
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment | TAA BSZ - ET Australia | 2008 |
Diploma in Front Line management | Central Coast Health | 2008 |
Advanced Supervision | New Fangled Ideas | 2007 |
Emotional and spiritual competencies for managers | Northern Sydney Central Coast Health | 2005 |
Graduate Certificate in Aged Care | University of Newcastle | 2003 |
Action Research course | Southern Cross University | 2002 |
Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care | Australian College of Nursing | 2000 |
Dementia Care Learning Program Certificate | HACC Training Project | 1998 |
Wound Management Certificate | Victorian Nurse Education Service | 1995 |
Bachelor of Nursing | University of Newcastle | 1993 |
Memberships
Professional practice
- Australian College of Nurse Practitioners
- Australian Association of Gerontology
- Hunter Dementia Alliance
Administrative expertise
- Managing Large Projects
- Managing Large Clinical Services
- Developing and Coordinating Courses at Post graduate and Undergraduate Level e.g. Master Nurse Practitioner and Associate Degree in Integrated Care in Ageing
- Developing and Coordinating Units at Post graduate and Undergraduate Level.
Teaching
Aged Care Dementia Care Palliative Dementia Care Advance Care Planning Nurse Led Memory Clinics Dementia / Memory Wellness Programs
Teaching expertise
Course Coordinator Master Nurse Practitioner; Master Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Associate Degree Integrated Care in Ageing
Unit Coordinator
NURS6621 Clinical Practice A (Nurse Practitioner)
NURS6622 Clinical Practice B (Nurse Practitioner)
NURS6620 Biophysical Processes and Health Assessment; Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
AGED1001 Healthcare and older People(S1 2018 ONLINE_CAL)
AGED1002 Principles and Delivery of Consumer-Centred Care(S2 2018ONLINE_CAL)
AGED2002 The Ageing Journey1 (S1 2018 ONLINE_CAL)
MEDI6801 Primary Health Care(S2 2018WEBLEARN) (Nurse Practitioner and Master of Clinical Leadership)
MEDI6802 Contemporary Issues in Chronic Disease Management (S2 2018WEBLEARN)
CAD501 Health and Social Support in Dementia 1
Teaching responsibility
CAD501 Health and Social Support in Dementia 1 Core Unit Master of Dementia
http://www.utas.edu.au/courses/chm/courses/m7x-master-of-dementia and http://www.utas.edu.au/courses/chm/units/cad501-health-and-social-care-in-dementia-1
View more on Mrs Helga Jenkins in WARP
Expertise
- Nurse Led Memory Clinics
- Memory Wellness Programs
- Early and Timely Diagnosis of Dementia
- Enabling Environment for People Living with Dementia
- Palliative Dementia Care
Research Themes
Helga’s research aligns to the University’s research theme of Better Health and the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre focus areas of both Dementia Care and Prevention.
Modifiable risk factors for dementia include those chronic condition risk factors such as low levels of exercise; poor nutrition; smoking tobacco; alcohol overuse; overweight and obesity; high or low blood pressure; raised blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels, being a smoker; the presence of other chronic conditions such as diabetes or depression or having low levels of social participation. Lifestyle change and engaging in healthy behaviours improves health status at any age. It is never too late to start.
Helga’s research interests include the early and timely diagnosis and management of dementia via programs focused on translating brain health and dementia prevention knowledge into programs that can be delivered for the purpose of testing improvements in the quality of life and cognition for older people at risk of or diagnosed with dementia.
Awards
2017 Commonwealth Department of Health (DOH) Better Practice Awards x 2 – Memory wellness program and Clinical Governance program – Sept 17
2017 Best Innovation of the Year Finalist Asia Pacific Aged are Awards – April 17; Wellness for Independence (chronic condition management Framework)
2016 Better Practice Awards x 2 – Tele-monitoring Staying Strong program and Staying Connected iPad program
2016 Best Dementia Program Finalist Asia Pacific Aged Care Awards – April 16; Memory Wellness Program
2013 International Mental Health award for “The Long Look Back” Narrative Therapy partnership with UCA.
2013 Mental Health Services Achievement Award: “Author at Any Age” partnership with UCA
2011 Better Practice Award, DoHA – Therapeutic Environment partnership with UCA
2010 PLACS award (Positive Living in Aged Care – ACA & NSW DoH ) Intergenerational Programs improving Quality of Life for People with Dementia in Residential Care. Partnership with UCA
Fields of Research
- Geriatrics and gerontology (320210)
- Acute care (420501)
- Aged care nursing (420502)
Research Objectives
- Expanding knowledge in the health sciences (280112)
Publications
Edwards, C., McDonnell, C., & Merl. H. (2012). “An evaluation of a therapeutic garden’s influence on the quality of life of aged care residents with dementia”, Dementia, Feb.
Co-Author: NSW Department of Health Delirium Guidelines, 2008, (ISBN 1 74139 008 5)
Merl, H. 2006 'End Stage Dementia and Palliative Care; Rocky road or tranquil passage', The Australian Journal of Community Nursing, Vol, 11, No. 1, April.
Total publications
5
Journal Article
(4 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Karacsony S, Merl H, O'Brien J, Maxwell H, Andrews S, et al., 'What are the clinical and social outcomes of integrated care for older people? A qualitative systematic review', International Journal of Integrated Care, 22, (3) Article 14. ISSN 1568-4156 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.5334/ijic.6469 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Karacsony S; O'Brien J; Maxwell H; Andrews S; Greenwood M; Rouhi M; McCann D; Stirling C | |
| 2022 | Merl H, Doherty KV, Alty J, Salmon K, 'Truth, hope and the disclosure of a dementia diagnosis: a scoping review of the ethical considerations from the perspective of the person, carer and clinician', Dementia, 21, (3) pp. 1050-1068. ISSN 1471-3012 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1177/14713012211067882 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Doherty KV; Alty J; Salmon K | |
| 2021 | Adebusoye LA, Arinola G, Amaefula G, Hunter S, Merl H, et al., 'Comparison of the Rowland University dementia assessment scale and mini-mental state examination cognitive screening tools among older people in Nigeria', Medical Journal of Zambia, 48, (4) ISSN 0047-651X (2021) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2021 | Pond D, Higgins I, Mate K, Merl H, Mills D, et al., 'Mobile memory clinic: implementing a nurse practitioner-led, collaborative dementia model of care within general practice', Australian Journal of Primary Health, 27 pp. 6-12. ISSN 1448-7527 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/PY20118 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 |
Chapter in Book
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Merl H, 'Promoting Healthy Ageing', Gerontological Nursing: A Holistic Approach to the Care of Older People, Elsevier Australia, C Vafeas and S Slatyer (ed), Australia, pp. 33-44. ISBN 9780729543675 (2021) [Other Book Chapter] |
Grants & Funding
COMPETITIVE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
2017 Short Term Restorative Care community program Far North Queensland x 12 packages $ 520,00 recurrently
2017 CHSP expansion funds – Low vision wellness in 3 states and NT = $1,100,000 recurrently
2015 & 16 Primary Health tender for Far North NSW PHN $170,000; My Tele Medic for Hobart Health $350,000 recurrent unlimited
2012 Successful 3 ACARs rounds UnitingCare Ageing & most recent integratedliving Australia
2010 Merl, H Hunter Collaborative Palliative Dementia Care Framework. Round 5 Palliative Care Grants. DoHA $655, 000
2009 McDonnell, C. & Merl, H Therapeutic Garden – UnitingCare Ageing $50, 000
2004 Merl, H The Central Coast Dementia Planning and Service Development project. $75,000
2002 Merl, H Metropolitan Primary Dementia Care Network, NSW DoH grant. $150, 000
DIRECT ALLOCATION of FUNDING via SELECTIVE TENDERING
2016 Merl, H. Carer Mental Health wellness program $120 000. NSW DSS
2015 Merl, H. Mental Health program; Dementia/Memory Wellness and Foot wellness $840 000 Qld and NSW DSS
2008 Merl, H. Review of Central Coast Dementia Planning DADHC $ 10, 000
2007 Merl, H. Primary Care Dementia Advisory Service/Memory Clinics. DADHC $ 110, 000 recurrently
COMPETITIVE TEACHING GRANTS
2004 Merl, H. & Bauer, L. Development of a Legal Issues Educational Package for GPs, NSW DoH. $ 55, 000
2002 Merl, H. Development of a Dementia Diagnosis and Management educational package for GPs, DADHC. $ 45, 000
Funding Summary
Number of grants
2
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Donation in support of Sunny Jang's research
- Funding
- Donation via University of Tasmania Foundation ($5,000)
- Scheme
- Donation - Individual
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Jang SH; Kuruvilla M; Nguyen HB; Jenkins HM; Salmon K; Hamrah MS; Koirala Y
- Year
- 2022
- Description
- Donation record
- Funding
- Donation via University of Tasmania Foundation ($5,000)
- Scheme
- Donation - Individual
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Canty A; Kuruvilla M; Jenkins HM
- Year
- 2022
Helga is currently supervising 1 PhD candidate.