Dr Claire O’Connor

Connection to the dementia community:

Claire is an occupational therapist and researcher specialising in dementia, with work exploring behaviour changes, activity engagement, reablement and rehabilitation in dementia.

Organisation/Affiliation:

HammondCare; School of Population Health, UNSW.

Claire is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Positive Ageing, HammondCare, a Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Population Health, UNSW, and is a registered occupational therapist (AHPRA). Her research focuses on people living with dementia, their families and supporters, with particular interest in non-pharmacological intervention to maximise engagement, functioning, independence, and to support changes in behaviour. Combining her clinical training in occupational therapy and research skills, Claire is passionate about contributing to research that is meaningful to people impacted by dementia and is particularly interested in the translation and implementation of research to generate positive change.

Aspect of AJDC I would like to see develop:

Translating research and evidence-based developments in dementia practice for people with lived experience of dementia.