Let’s CHAT Dementia Webinar Series
Series Synopsis
Dementia is a rapidly growing health issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Let’s CHAT (Community Health Approaches To) Dementia is a NHMRC-funded co-design project based in 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Australia which aims to optimise detection and management of cognitive impairment in primary care. In 2020, the Let’s CHAT Dementia team developed a Best-practice guide to cognitive impairment and dementia care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attending primary care that has been accepted as a clinical resource by the RACGP. The guide addresses the clinical aspects of health care provision combined with key cultural and other elements that support effective health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In collaboration with Dementia Training Australia, the Let’s CHAT Dementia team and partners (the University of Melbourne, Neuroscience Australia, James Cook University, La Trobe University and the University of Western Australia) bring you a six-part series of webinars, which will give an overview of cognitive impairment and dementia care. These webinars follow the story of Aunty Molly who presents with memory and thinking problems. As the series progresses, we accompany Aunty Molly, who is supported by her son Frank and health service professionals, through her dementia diagnosis and management of her changing needs over time.
This series is aimed at primary health care teams including General Practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and health workers, nurses, allied health professionals and others who work in primary care and are wanting to learn more about best practice care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at risk of or living with cognitive impairment or dementia.
Each webinar discusses a key aspect of primary care in relation to cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as set out here:
- Best practice cognitive impairment and dementia care
- Detection of cognitive impairment and dementia
- Health care for people living with cognitive impairment and dementia
- Health prevention and promotion for cognitive impairment and dementia
- Health and wellbeing of carers for people with cognitive impairment and dementia
- Planning, decision making and end-of-life care for people with dementia
Let’s CHAT Dementia Resources
Access ResourcePDF’s | External ResourceWebinar 1
Best practice cognitive impairment and dementia care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attending primary care
This first webinar is aimed at General Practitioners. Join Dr Mary Belfrage and Professor Constance Dimity Pond as they give an overview of best practice principles in the detection and management of cognitive impairment and dementia, focusing on the cultural context of addressing the needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their families, carers and communities.
Presenters
Dr Mary Belfrage
Clinical Lead NACCHO-RACGP Partnership Project
Professor Dimity Pond
Professor of General Practice, University of Newcastle
Webinar 2
Detection of cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attending primary care
Join Adjunct Professor Mark Wenitong and Adjunct Professor Edward Strivens as they discuss the clinical and cultural best practice principles of detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attending primary care. Follow the story of Aunt Molly and her son Frank as she presents with memory and thinking problems and learn about ways to support them.
Presenters
Adjunct Professor Mark Wenitong
General Practitioner and Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology
Adjunct Professor Edward Strivens
Clinical Director for Older Persons Cairns and Hinterland Hospital
Webinar 3
Health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with dementia attending primary care
Join Harry Douglas and Associate Professor Dina LoGiudice as they discuss high-quality care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been diagnosed with dementia and who attend primary care. Follow the story of Aunt Molly and her son Frank, and learn the key clinical and cultural elements of effective multidisciplinary models of care including regular review and care plans to optimise her overall functioning and social and emotional wellbeing.
Presenters
Harry Douglas
Indigenous Reference Group Co-ordinator and Aboriginal Research Officer, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Let’s CHAT Dementia Project
Associate Professor Dina LoGiudice
Geriatrician and Lead Investigator, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Let’s CHAT Dementia Project
Webinar 4
Health prevention and promotion for cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attending primary care
Many risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia are modifiable and primary care plays an important role in promoting brain health across the life course. This webinar will help you understand strategies to promote brain health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples attending your primary health care service. Join Lauren Poulos and Associate Professor Sarah Russell as they discuss risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia and explain ways to help health professionals to promote brain health and reduce the risk of dementia across the life course of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples who attend primary care.
Presenters
Lauren Poulos
Project Coordinator, Neuroscience Research Australia
Associate Professor Sarah Russell
Principal Research Officer, Healthy Ageing Research Team, James Cook University
Webinar 5
The health and wellbeing of carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with cognitive impairment and dementia
Join Roslyn Malay and Dr Wendy Allan as they discuss best practice clinical and cultural principles to identify and support the health and wellbeing of carers of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who attend primary care. We continue the story of Aunty Molly and her son Frank, in this session focussing on how caring for Molly has been impacting Frank and the ways we can most effectively provide support to him.
Presenters
Roslyn Malay
Research Officer Let’s CHAT Dementia Project (Kimberley region)
Dr Wendy Allan
Research Coordinator, Aboriginal Health and Ageing Team, Neuroscience Research Australia; Research Coordinator, for Let’s CHAT Dementia Project (Mid North Coast, NSW)
Webinar 6
Planning, decision making and end-of-life care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with dementia attending primary care
Join Diane Cadet-James and Associate Professor Dina LoGiudice as they explore the best practice principles of clinical and cultural care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with dementia and their families, carers and communities at the end of life. This webinar series describes Aunty Molly who presents with memory and thinking problems and is diagnosed with dementia. Follow her story as she is supported by her son Frank and health service professionals through her diagnosis of dementia and management over time, including during end of life.
Presenters
Diane Cadet-James
Research Officer, Healthy Ageing Research Team, James Cook University; Research Officer, Let’s CHAT Dementia Project
Associate Professor Dina LoGiudice
Geriatrician and Lead Investigator, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Let’s CHAT Dementia Project