Dementia Action Week runs between 15 to 21 September, offering a useful opportunity to build on the many clinical and community-facing resources available to you and your networks.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in your community, either during or beyond Dementia Action Week, with these ideas to get you started.
Dementia Australia has made it possible for you to host an information night in your community, using Dementia Australia’s resources, video toolkits and the guide for hosts. This can either be during the week itself, or any time in the year that works for your practice.
Alternatively, there is a range of resources and webinars available for podiatrists, free of charge.
This year’s theme centres on the idea that ‘no one can do it alone’, with Dementia Australia encouraging people to reach out and have a chat with a person who has dementia or their carers. In the words of Dementia Australia:
“This Dementia Action Week we challenge everyone in the community to reach out and reconnect to someone impacted by dementia because nobody can do it alone.”
Dementia Australia has created a range of guides with reconnecting in mind – sharing practical tips for various circumstances. It might be helpful to first browse through the support designed specifically for health professionals.
Remind your patients and carers about the National Dementia Helpline for free confidential support 24/7 across a range of phone, online and email platforms.
Dementia Australia offers Dementia Essentials (CHCAGE011 Provide Support to People Living with Dementia) — a free, nationally-accredited course for health and community care workers. It’s designed to build confidence, improve communication, and develop strategies for supporting clients living with dementia.
The course covers:
The training is available across Australia in both face-to-face and blended formats. Eligibility requirements apply, and places are limited.
Dementia Australia also hosts a range of webinars which are run by experts in this field and can be clinically useful or even a helpful tool to share with patients and carers. Relevant topics include ‘How Person-Centred is your Practice?’
Wicking, the University of Tasmania’s Dementia Research and Education Centre, offers university-quality education about the latest in dementia research via the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). This is free and doesn’t require exams or assignments.
Dementia Training Australia offers free courses on a range of dementia related topics in clinical practice such as Decoding Delirium and Demystifying Dementia.
Consider joining Podiatry Aged Care (PAC), APodA’s Special Interest Group for members. This is where you can network, advocate, learn and share with likeminded podiatrists who care about the role of podiatry in the aged care sector.
Including:
© Copyright 2021 The Australian Podiatry Association
