This two-day workshop is suitable for health and allied health professionals, aged and community care coordinators, health students, and others working with older people and people with dementia in indigenous communities.

Dementia is acknowledged as a significant issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities. Recent studies indicate a prevalence rate of up to five times more than in the non-Indigenous population. Primary health care and related workers from rural, remote and Indigenous communities require a clear under-standing of dementia, and the skills and strategies to assess and assist both the person with dementia and their family in managing their dementia.

The workshop will give you the skills you need to provide quality dementia care and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with dementia, their families and community.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify different types of dementia including causes, signs, symptoms, and progress of the disease, and be able to communicate this effectively to the family.
• Distinguish dementia from other conditions that may have similar signs and symptoms.
• Use appropriate tools (including KICA) to assess Indigenous clients for dementia.
• Understand the progressive changes associated with a person with dementia.
• Identify ways of managing the person with dementia including behaviour management, environmental modifications, medication and other appropriate interventions.
• Develop strategies with family and other carers to enable them to manage any difficulties with their family member in their community for as long as possible.
• Develop a plan for long-term management of a person with dementia in their community.
• Source and utilise up-to-date resources in the management of people with dementia.

Presented by:

Annie Farthing (Physiotherapist who has lived in Central Australia for more than 20 years and is currently teaching in the Remote Health Practice Program)

Heather Jensen  (Occupational Therapist with extensive experience  working with older people & people with disabilities in Central Australia)

Register for this event now

Download the Flyer (as pdf file - 284 Kb)