Koori dementia care project

• Reach:

  NSW

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Current

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

The primary aim of the Koori dementia care project is to inform, educate, and build capacity in six NSW Aboriginal communities, and with associated service providers, about the effects of dementia on older Aboriginal people and their families.

The project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• increased dementia awareness and knowledge across the six communities of La Perouse, Tharawal, Kempsey, Nambucca, Coffs and Western Sydney
• increased acceptance of appropriate community services for those living with dementia and their families
• translation of the knowledge gained in the Koori growing old well study into capacity building for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal service providers and health workers
• development and dissemination of information and communication strategies about the topic of dementia to six urban and regional Aboriginal communities
• improvement and timely diagnosis of dementia, increased take-up of support for carers through increased community and family education, increased understanding and acceptance of the range of community support services available for carers, and development of a person-centred (community centred) model of care within Aboriginal care.

A key focus of this model will be to establish the knowledge wants and needs of each community then target, train, and mentor appropriate people within each community to provide that information. Indigenous educators will be recruited from each community and work side by side with the Project Manager, thus ensuring a sustainability of information in that community when the project is completed.

The Koori dementia care project is a joint project between Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and several Aboriginal communities across NSW. The project is funded by Ageing Disability and Home Care.

Abstract adapted from Neuroscience Research Australia

Contacts

Sharon Wall
Project Manager
Ph: 0419 849 101
Email: sharon@ageingbycaring.com.au

Links

• View information: Koori dementia care project
• View website: Neuroscience Research Australia