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New dementia network
Government to fund dementia initiative to ensure more targeted research.
Memory centres and a registry of clinical trial volunteers are two of the tent poles of a new dementia network, which Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt is calling the accelerator Australia needs“ to win the race against dementia”. The Australian Dementia Network( ADNeT) will receive government funding of $ 18 million – through the $ 200 million Boosting Dementia Research Initiative – along with $ 20 million in commitments from universities, philanthropists, industry, research centres and state governments.
Wyatt’ s office said the memory clinics will speed up assessment of cognitive disorders, boost public access to clinical trials, and ensure Australian and international data can be better shared.
“ By significantly increasing public access to, and participation in, clinical trials, it will also speed the development and approval of new prevention and treatment therapies.”
A salute to salutogenesis
Student storytellers take out top prizes in creative dementia competition.
Two university students have snagged $ 2000 each for their exploration of salutogenesis and what it means for people with dementia.
Dementia Training Australia( DTA) asked undergraduate students to tell a story in a medium of their choice exploring how their discipline could support people with dementia to live a life that was manageable, understandable and meaningful.
Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe said the funding will make reality a vision long held by researchers, the peak body and people impacted by dementia for an integrated registry of researchers, studies, information, data and clinicians to ensure there is more targeted, effective research.
“ For researchers, ADNeT is about harnessing the power of‘ big data’ to ensure that we have a far more comprehensive and integrated picture of clinical research that will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of dementia.
“ It will enable that picture to be built across a wide range of datasets and for researchers to more effectively identify cohorts of people for future studies,” McCabe said.
The network’ s leveraging of researchers, clinicians, health service providers, industry and, most significantly, people impacted by dementia will better position Australian dementia researchers internationally to contribute more effectively and with more clarity to the global puzzle of dementia.
Dementia advocate John Quinn, who is living with the disease, said the move is a commitment to invite all people with dementia to the research table.
“ In the past two years, I have not only participated in some studies, but I am also on numerous research committees,” Quinn said.“ I am proud that I can contribute to this progress towards better care now and a future cure. I believe this is a major shift forward for dementia research and for all people impacted by dementia.” ■
Tara Kannan took the top prize in the second-year category for her article‘ Mind Over Matter’.
Kannan, who is studying a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle, first realised her interest in dementia
Tara Kannan while volunteering in a nursing home. Her winning entry explored the definition of a salutogenic approach to dementia, including its origins and implications for those with the disease in the global community.
Salutogenesis stems from the Latin word for‘ health’, salus, and the Greek word for‘ source’, genesis. DTA said salutogenesis, or sources of health, focuses on factors that support health and wellbeing, shifting away from a more traditional, pathogenic focus on risk and problems.
Matthew Boom, who is studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra, took the top prize in the third-year category for his poster‘ Maintaining Adventure with Dementia’, which explored the ways in which physiotherapy can promote
Matthew Boom salutogenesis. Boom started working in residential care in 2014 and has continued doing so throughout his studies.“ Working closely with older people opened my eyes to the missed opportunities to improve people’ s lives through the known benefits of physiotherapy, particularly those with dementia, whose needs are often overlooked,” he said.
Overall, six winners were announced among students from more than 20 fields of study across 25 Australian universities. ■
6 agedcareinsite. com. au