of the Living with Memory Loss Workshop:
Younger Onset Dementia. Facilitated by
Alzheimer's Australia SA for the first time
in 2012, this workshop aimed to provide
accessible education to people recently
diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia. The
workshop offered information and strategies
with the intention of empowering people to
maintain their independence and activity.
into the challenges facing people with Younger
Onset Dementia, and has the potential to
inform service providers about the unique
needs of this group. This presentation will
outline the practical benefits participants
received from the workshop, as well as the
areas for future improvement.
intervention practices traditionally beneficial
for older people do not necessarily translate
to this age group. Feedback showed that the
challenges of memory and thinking changes
are made more complex by loss and grief
associated with employment changes, lengthy
diagnosis, financial burden, role, relationship
and identity change, young children, older
parents, lack of appropriate services and
sexuality changes.
working with people with Younger Onset
Dementia to have frank and open discussions
about these and other issues with their clients,
with the goal of ultimately improving their
wellbeing and liberation.
Heather Freegard
Western Australian Dementia Training Study
Centre (WADTSC), Centre for Research on
Ageing, Curtin University Perth, Western
Australia
Participants were assisted to pilot the
program, evaluate its usefulness in guiding
the implementation of improved practice, and
reflect on outcomes. The documented process
is a quality improvement opportunity.
Program built on the outcomes of a
Commonwealth Government Palliative Care
Grant (round 5) research project. It was an
initiative of the WADTSC commitment to the
National Priority initiative to improve end of life
care for people with dementia.
1. Identify and address End of Life needs of
Care within their workplace;
or families;