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Fresh troops against dementia
First batch of graduates in program look to a future with
better care and increased understanding of the disease.
(From left) Suzanne Teague, Jillian Chisolm, Marcia Penn, Melisa Sincock and
Evthoxia Lynch (absent Janet Siversen). Photo: Natalie Mendham Photography
A
ustralian experts hope the
first group of graduates of the
University of Tasmania’s (UTAS)
bachelor of dementia care will help make
a difference in lives and contribute to a
growing pool of leaders in the field.
The first six bachelor’s graduates to
complete the program recently took to the
stage for their graduation ceremony.
The fully online course is available to
domestic and international students and
aims to help them develop specialised
knowledge. It has no face-to-face or
workplace assessment component and can
be studied full-time or part-time.
Co-directors of the university’s
Wicking Dementia Research and
Education Centre, professors Andrew
Robinson and James Vickers, said the
program would be an important part of
future dementia care in Australia.
Robinson said: “The graduation of our
bachelor of dementia care students marks
an important milestone in our mission to
transform dementia care in Australia.”
Graduate Suzanne Teague, who used
her retirement to study for her degree, said
she enjoyed gaining new knowledge and
learning more about herself.
“I am aiming to eventually undertake the
bachelor of dementia care honours program
and in the meantime, if there is a part-time
employment opportunity where I can help
those with dementia or their families, I will
consider that option,” Teague said.
The bachelor’s graduates join a growing
number of UTAS dementia care alumni,
including 16 associate degree and
96 diploma graduates.
Robinson said he hoped the growing
pool of expertise would build capability
and leadership for dementia care
in multiple settings throughout the
community and in residential care.
“Enhanced understanding through
education will also help make our society
more dementia inclusive,” he added. ■
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26/09/2016 4:02 PM
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