Research project gives voice to people impacted by dementia
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is partnering with Southern Cross Care and Catholic Healthcare to conduct research into what it means to live well with dementia and how to provide better residential aged care.
Through a combination of surveys, interviews and focus groups, researchers will consult with people living with dementia and their carers to gain an understanding of their wants and needs.
The research will be used to determine what is needed in terms of policy, resources, and cultural change.
Alzheimer’s Australia New South Wales (NSW) chief executive officer (CEO) The Hon. John Watkins AM says it is important that providers of aged care services listen to the views of people living with dementia in order to provide the best care for them.
“This project is vital in giving people impacted by dementia a voice and ensuring they are enabled to live as well as possible,” Mr Watkins says.
“With this research, we are aiming to identify what service providers and individuals should be doing to ensure people living with dementia have the best possible quality of life.”
Southern Cross Care chief executive Paul McMahon says that the organisation continually strives to better meet the needs of people living with dementia.
“If we are truly to provide person-centred care, then we must understand and provide support on the personal level to empower quality of life,” according to Mr McMahon.
Catholic Healthcare managing director David Maher says that understanding the needs and wishes of people living with dementia is fundamental to co-creating services that enhance quality of life.
“This research supports our commitment to deliver creative services that enhance well-being.”
The research findings will be reported in an Alzheimer’s Australia NSW discussion paper, set to be released in August 2016, and will include recommendations for government, service providers and the broader community on what they can do to support people with dementia to live well.
Recruitment for participants will begin in 2016. For further information contact Marija Stupar on 02 8875 4621 or marija.stupar@alzheimers.org.au
For general information and support services contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500 or visit fightdementia.org.au
