Additional research should explore whether
integrative approaches at diagnosis, at periods
of transition and grief, and in community
and residential care reduces behavioural and
psychological symptoms, whilst improving
understanding of the dementia experience for
clients, their families and carers, providers and
the community.
Chair, Alzheimer's Australia Vic Younger Onset
Dementia Reference Group
provide professional care for people with
younger onset dementia. It is intended to
remind us that people with younger onset
dementia and their carers who seek assistance
have already been involved in a long journey
identifying and living with the symptoms by the
time they are seeking additional support. Many
have had to do this during the period of their
life when they may be in full employment with
financial and family pressures associated with
mid life.
and Minds, developed by independent online
news site The Global Mail, the presenters will
share their experience of living with and loving
someone with younger onset dementia.
be incorporated into the presentation.
younger onset dementia, and their carer
partners discussing the realities of coping with
the disease. There is an exploration of the
support available to provide for these needs.
Community perceptions of issues such as
those relating to age and sexuality are also
considered in short videos.
their recorded comments about the effects
the illness has had on relationships and family.
The profound impact of placing a partner into
care and the social isolation of a carer is a
common thread in these monologues. These
consequences emphasise the importance
of using a structured support network, one
such being the groups which are often formed
by those who participate in the Alzheimer's
Australia, Living with Memory Loss program.
voice to very personal stories of families
negotiating the profound changes to lives
surrounding a young dementia sufferer. The
complete feature can be read, viewed and
heard at http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/
hearts-and-minds/418/.
Michael Bauer, Virginia Lewis,
Therese Desmond, Francine Hanley,
Carol Chenco, Ruth Parslow
organisations, Southern Cross Care (Vic) has
given an innovative new twist to traditional
music programs using portable MP3 players
to improve the lives of its residents and
community clients living with dementia, and
their carers.
downloaded on to the portable players to help
ease agitated behaviours of those living with