Wicking Centre awarded $.5million in funding
Wicking Centre awarded $.5million in funding
The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (Wicking Centre) has attracted $537,000 in national funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (Wicking Centre) has attracted $537,000 in national funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
The research project, called "Dementia Care Dialogues" will enhance the provision of palliative care for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities and their families.
Research Project Manager, Ms Sharon Andrews, says the project is aimed at improving communication between staff who provide care for people with dementia and their family members, who are so important in decision making and care planning.
"We are thrilled to receive financial support that enables us to work with staff in residential aged care facilities across Tasmania and Victoria. The grant will enable us to establish a program that will support the development of dementia-palliative care resource nurses," Ms Andrews said.
Co-Director of Menzies' Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre Professor Andrew Robinson says the Wicking Centre is working towards preparing Tasmania for the rapid increase in the numbers of people with dementia.
"Dementia is now the fastest growing and largest cost in the residential aged care system," Professor Robinson said.
"This project presents a significant opportunity for researchers, residential aged care providers, specialists and primary palliative care providers to collaborate in improving the delivery of palliative care services for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities and their families," he said.
"The project will run concurrently in Victoria. Associate Professor Fran McInerney of the Australian Catholic University School of Nursing and Midwifery will lead the team in Victoria."
"We are so pleased to have such a highly recognised research team behind this project," Professor Robinson said.
Professor Michael Ashby, Tasmania's Medical Director of Palliative Care Services and Clinical Leader, DHHS Palliative Care Network will oversee the whole project in both Tasmania and Victoria.
Other Tasmanian collaborators on this project include One Care, Southern Cross Care, and the Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania (DHHS).
Established in 2008, the Wicking Centre is funded by the JO & JR Wicking Trust, (managed by ANZ Trustees) with further financial support from the University of Tasmania and the Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania.
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