Isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult reality over the past two years something that Pauline Marsh and her family learned only too well after her father, who is living with dementia, was isolated from them for a month. Pauline highlights the unintended costs of this isolation and suggests interventions to mitigate the distress

General practitioners Steph Daly, Hilton Koppe and Marita Long discuss the challenges for GPs in diagnosing dementia and present three simple frameworks to guide that process

Dementia Training Australia introduces Dementia in Practice – a new podcast made by GPs

HOMESIDE is an international study investigating the effects of music and reading activities
for people living with dementia and their family carers. The project’s Australian research
team of Kate Teggelove, Libby Flynn, Felicity Baker and Jeanette Tamplin discuss the initial
feedback from participants and plans for a related music app to regulate agitation

HOMESIDE is an international study investigating the effects of music and reading activities
for

Dementia Australia is using technology to create unique learning experiences that enable
aged care workers to put learning into practice. David Sykes explains

Adriane Boag and researchers from the University of Canberra share the story of how the National Gallery of Australia’s popular Art and Dementia program successfully moved online during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021

Lyn Phillipson introduces a new book which shares perspectives on the significance of place and neighbourhoods

In this extract from ‘Dementia and Place’ Lynda Henderson (with Louisa Smith) shares her experience of supporting her friend and housemate Veda, who lives with dementia

Amelia Grossi, Daisy Smith, Meg Wright and Joseph Ibrahim discuss the complex issue of sexual violence in aged care and introduce the new online course they’ve developed for aged care nurses on how to prevent, respond to and manage unwanted sexual behaviour

Capability, contact and connection (page 2)

By Professor Belinda Goodenough

• Bryan M (2022) How Should Defence Force Support Be Used In Aged Care? Aged Care Workers Have Their Say. February 22, 2022. Available at: www.agedcareessentials.com.au/news/how-should-defence-force-support-be-used-in-aged-care-aged-care-workers-have-their-say
•  The Weekly Source (2022) ADF Assisting In 21 Aged Care Homes – Yet Providers Are Refusing Their Help. February 17 2022. Available at: www.theweeklysource.com.au/adf-assisting-in-21-aged-care-homes-yet-providers-are-refusing-their-help/
•  Szano L (2022) In Good Company: Uniting Eden Aged Care Residents and Staff Grateful For ADF Support. Magnet, March 16 2022. Available at: www.edenmagnet.com.au/story/7660999/in-good-company-uniting-eden-aged-care-residents-and-staff-grateful-for-adf-support/

Isolation in a time of COVID (pages 10-12)

By Pauline Marsh

• Australian Government Department of Health (2022) Managing Public Health Restrictions on Residential Aged Care Facilities – Interim Guidance. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/interim-guidance-on-managing-public-health-restrictions-on-residential-aged-care-facilities

Dementia diagnosis in practice (pages 14-17)

By Steph Daly, Hilton Koppe and Marita Long

• Annear M, Toye C, Eccleston C et al (2015) Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale: Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale: Development and Preliminary Psychometric Properties. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 63 2375-2381.
• Brodaty H, Connors M, Pond D, Cumming A, Creasey H (2013) Dementia: 14 Essentials of Management: Medicine Today 14(9) 29-41. Available at: https://detectearly.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Brodaty_2013_Dementia-Management_MedicineToday.pdf
• Casey A-N, Islam M, Schütze H, Parkinson A, Yen L, Shell A, Winbolt M, Brodaty H (2020) GP Awareness, Practice, Knowledge and Confidence: Evaluation of the First Nation-Wide Dementia-Focused Continuing Medical Education Program in Australia. BMC Family Practice 21 104.
• Mason R, Doherty K, Eccleston C, Winbolt M, Long M, Robinson A (2020) Effect of a Dementia Education Intervention on the Confidence and Attitudes of General Practitioners in Australia: A Pretest Post-Test Study. BMJ Open 10:e033218.
• Tierney L, Mason R, Doherty K, Winbolt M, Long M, Robinson A (2019) Workshops on Diagnosis and Management of Dementia for General Practitioners: A Pre-Post Intervention Study of Dementia Knowledge. BMJ Open 9(4):e027804.

Resources to support diagnosis and management (page 15)

• Brodaty H, Connors M, Pond D, Cumming A, Creasey H (2013) Dementia: 14 Essentials of Management. Medicine Today 14(9) 29-41.

Responsive Behaviours Toolkit (page 17)

By Liz Miles

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021) Dementia in Australia: 2021 Summary report. Canberra: AIHW.
• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021) Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect. Volume 2 The Current System. Available at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/

‘We’re doing something together’ (pages 18-20)

By Kate Teggelove, Libby Flynn, Felicity Baker and Jeanette Tamplin

• Baker F, Grocke D, Pachana N (2012) Connecting Through Music: A Study Of A Spousal Carer-Directed Music Intervention Designed To Prolong Fulfilling Relationships In Couples Where One Person Has Dementia. Australian Journal of Music Therapy 23 4-19.
• Commonwealth of Australia (2021) Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Final Report Volume 1. Available at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/final-report-executive-summary.pdf.
• Dementia Australia (2018) Dementia Prevalence Data 2018-2058. Commissioned research undertaken by The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling [NATSEM], University of Canberra.
• Guideline Adaptation Committee (2016) Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People With Dementia. Sydney.
• Hsu MH, Flowerdew R, Parker M, Fachner J, Odell-Miller H (2015) Individual Music Therapy For Managing Neuropsychiatric Symptoms For People With Dementia and Their Carers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study. BMC Geriatrics 18(15) 84-015-0082-4.
• Juniarti N, Al’Adawiyah MZ I, Windani Mambang Sari C, Haroen H (2021) The Effect of Exercise and Learning Therapy on Cognitive Functions and Physical Activity of Older People with Dementia in Indonesia. Journal of Aging Research.
• Livingston G, Sommerlad A, Orgeta V, Costafreda SG, Huntley J, Ames D, Ballard C, Banerjee S, Burns A, Cohen-Mansfield J, Cooper C, Fox N, Gitlin LN, Howard R, Kales HC, Larson EB, Ritchie K, Rockwood K, Sampson EL, Samus Q, Schneider LS, Selbæk G, Teri L, Mukadam N (2017) Dementia Prevention, Intervention, And Care. Lancet 390 (10113) 2673-2734.
• Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, Ames D et al (2020) Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: 2020 Report of The Lancet Commission. Lancet 396 (10248) 413-446.
• Longden E, Davis P, Carroll J, Billington J, Kinderman P (2016) An Evaluation Of Shared Reading Groups For Adults Living With Dementia: Preliminary Findings. Journal of Public Mental Health, 15(2) 75-82.
• Papastavrou E, Kalokerinou A, Papacostas SS, Tsangari H, Sourtzi P (2007) Caring For A Relative With Dementia: Family Caregiver Burden. Journal of Advanced Nursing 58(5) 446-457.
• Werner J, Wosch T, Gold C (2017) Effectiveness of Group Music Therapy Versus Recreational Group Singing For Depressive Symptoms Of Elderly Nursing Home Residents: Pragmatic Trial. Aging and Mental Health 21(2) 147-155.
• Zhang Y, Cai J, An L, Hui F, Ren T, Ma H, Zhao Q (2017) Does Music Therapy Enhance Behavioral and Cognitive Function In Elderly Dementia Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ageing Research Reviews 35 1-11.

Using technology to transform learning outcomes (pages 21-23)

By David Sykes

• Commonwealth of Australia (2021) Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect. Available at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/final-report-volume-1_0.pdf
• Costello E, Plack M, Maring J (2011) Validating a Standardized Patient Assessment Tool Using Published Professional Standards. Journal of Physical Therapy Education 25(3) 30-46.
• Gilmartin-Thomas J F-M et al (2018) Impact of a Virtual Dementia Experience on Medical and Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge and Attitude Toward People with Dementia: A Controlled Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 62(2) 867-876.
• Stargatt J et al (2021) The Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Education on Empathy and Understanding of the Physical Environment for Dementia Care Workers in Australia: A Controlled Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 84(3) 1247-1257.

Taking art and creativity online (pages 24-27)

By Lara Wiseman and researchers from the University of Canberra (Adriane Boag, Stephen Isbel and Nathan D’Cunha)

• Boag A (2014) A Picture Paints A Thousand Words. Australian Journal of Dementia Care 3(2) 10-12.
• D’Cunha N, McKune A, Isbel S, Kellett J, Georgousopoulou E, Naumovskia N (2019) Psychophysiological Responses in People Living With Dementia After An Art Gallery Intervention: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 72 (2019) 549-562.
• Kenning G (2016) Arts Engagement For People With Dementia: Independent Evaluation Of The Art Access Program, Art Gallery of New South Wales. Sydney NSW: University of Technology Sydney and Art Gallery New South Wales.
• MacPherson S, Bird M, Anderson K, Davis T, Blair A (2009) An Art Gallery Access Programme For People With Dementia: ‘You Do It For The Moment’. Aging & Mental Health 13(5) 744-752.
• Sauer P, Fopma-Loy J, Kinney J, Lokon E (2016) ‘‘It Makes Me Feel Like Myself’’: Person-Centered Versus Traditional Visual Arts Activities For People With Dementia. Dementia 15(5) 895-912.

Sexual violence in aged care (pages 31-33)

By Amelia Grossi, Daisy Smith, Meg Wright and Joseph Ibrahim

• Aged Care Quality Safety Commission (2021) Serious Incident Response Scheme. Australian Government. Available at: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/sirs
• Australian Government (2020) Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report. Available at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report
• Australian Government (2021) Annual Report 2020-21. Available at: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/acqsc-annual-report-2020-21.pdf
• D’Cruz M, Andrade C, Rao T (2020) The Expression of Intimacy and Sexuality in Persons with Dementia. Journal of Psychosexual Health 2(3-4) 215-223.
• Health Workforce Education and Training (WHO) (2019) The WHO Curriculum For Training Healthcare Providers In Managing Violence Against Women. Available at: https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/training-health-care-providers-help-women-survivors-of-violence/en/
• Ibrahim J, Smith D, Wright M (2020) Submission To Victorian Law Reform Commission, Inquiry Into Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offence. Available at: https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sub_3_Ibrahim_et_al_Health_Law_and_Ageing_Research_Unit_final.pdf
• Kalra G, Pinto C, Subramanyam A (2011) Sexuality: Desire, Activity and Intimacy In The Elderly. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 53(4) 300.
• Kevin B, Ibrahim J, Olivares Jones A, Smith D, Wright M, Frodé K (2021) The Impact of Sexual Violence in Residential Aged Care on the Rights of Older Women. Submission To United Nations Independent Expert On The Enjoyment Of Human Rights By Older Persons. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/OlderPersons/OlderWomen/submissions-others/Castan-Centre-submission-older-women.pdf
• KPMG (2019) Prevalence Study For A Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS). Australian Government. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/prevalence-study-for-a-serious-incident-response-scheme-sirs
• Office of the Public Advocate (online) Interagency Guideline for Addressing Violence, Neglect and Abuse (IGUANA). Available at: https://www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/opa-s-work/our-organisation/policies-plans-and-protocols/interagency-guideline-for-addressing-violence-neglect-and-abuse-iguana
• Oxford Textbook of Old Age Psychiatry (2013) Oxford Textbook of Old Age Psychiatry. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med/9780199644957.001.0001/med-9780199644957
• Roelofs TSM, Luijkx KG, Embregts PJCM (2015) Intimacy and Sexuality Of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia. International Psychogeriatric 27(3) 367-384.
• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2019) Submission by the Victorian Government. State of Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services Report No 978-1-76069-071-7. Available at: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/publications/royal-commission-aged-care-quality-and-safety-submission-victorian-government
• Smith D, Bugeja L, Cunningham N, Ibrahim J (2017) A Systematic Review of Sexual Assaults in Nursing Home. The Gerontologist 58(6):e369-e383.
• Smith D, Cunningham N, Willoughby M, Young C, Odell M, Ibrahim J et al (2019) The Epidemiology Of Sexual Assault Of Older Female Nursing Home Residents, In Victoria Australia, Between 2000 and 2015. Legal Medicine 36 89-95.
• Smith D, Wright M, Ibrahim J (2021a) Aged Care Nurses’ Perception Of Unwanted Sexual Behaviour In Australian Residential Aged Care Services. Australasian Journal on Ageing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.13014
• Smith D, Wright M, Pham T, Ibrahim J (2021b) Evaluation Of An Online Course For Prevention Of Unwanted Sexual Behaviour In Residential Aged Care Services – A Pilot Study. International Journal of Older People Nursing 00(e12142).
• Wright M, May A, Ibrahim J (2019) Recommendations For The Prevention and Management Of Sexual Violence In Residential Aged Care Services. Monash University. Available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a31766f2-d14e-4998-96db-7f18e7352819&subId=690300