World dementia expert visits Illawarra/Shoalhaven

Jun 20, 2007

A world expert on dementia care will visit the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions early next week during which time she will meet community care providers and conduct a series of research seminars.

The Director of the Centre for Applied Research on Aging and Health at Thomas Jefferson University in the United States, Professor Laura Gitlin, is visiting both regions at the invitation of the Eastern Australia Dementia and Training Study Centre under the directorship of the University of Wollongong’s Associate Professor Victoria Traynor.

Professor Traynor said that aged care was one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia and in order to stay responsive to clients’ needs it was imperative that health professionals keep abreast of current best practice and innovations.

Professor Gitlin’s expertise is on family caregiving, environmental modifications and adaptation to disability and home-based interventions to improve functional status of older adults and family caregivers.

Media please note

On Tuesday 26 June at 4pm, Professor Gitlin will present a special guest lecture at the University of Wollongong’s Graduate School of Medicine auditorium entitled: “Can we improve quality of life in persons with dementia and their family caregivers? The role of environment”.

Media are welcome to attend the lecture or interview Professor Gitlin earlier in the day from 9am to 9.30am or 1pm to 3pm on 26 June. Other photo/filming opportunities would be:

• Professor Gitlin’s visit to Warrigal Care: Mackander Village Albion Park, Monday 25 June from 11am to noon

• Kiama Hospital, Transitional and Rehabilitation Care, Monday 25 June from 2pm to 3pm

• Mayflower Village, Gerringong, Monday 25 June from 3.30pm to 4.30pm

• Berry Men’s Shed, North Street, Berry, Thursday 28 June from 9.30am to 10.30am

• Hammond Care Community Care 6/65 Queen Street Berry, Thursday 28 June from 1.30pm to 2pm

For more information contact Dr Nancy Humpel, Eastern Australia Dementia Training Study Centre, on (02) 4221 5441.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128