Past Events 1 Nov 2014 to 31 Oct 2015

Finding Meaning & Purpose: Listening to the Voices of People with Young Onset Dementia

Presented in partnership with

Many people diagnosed with dementia report a crippling sense of grief and hopelessness. Often aware that their situation is terminal, at the point of diagnosis they are generally advised to get their ‘end of life affairs’ in order, and then get on with business of living when little hope or help has become your reality!. That’s traumatic enough for people in their 80s. But what if you receive this advice in your 50s?

This forum presents a critical paradigm shift towards a holistic, re-abling approach to services in contrast to the potentially disempowering ‘medical model’. It will discuss the creation of evidence based, post-diagnostic life and support pathways which take an empowering approach on ‘getting on with life’ and encourage consumers to pursue their goals and maximise their quality of life.

Denise Craig will discuss maximising re-enablement from the perspective of the person living with dementia. It will address the significant paradigm shift from a medical perspective to a re-enablement model that is inspiring best practice care pathways to inform and guide GPs and clinicians.

The second presentation will be given by representatives from the BSL Younger Onset Dementia Social Support Group who will provide the audience with an overview of the group's establishment in July 2013 and the factors that influenced it. They will discuss the different approach they took in providing the participants with the opportunity to be the drivers of their own service resulting in members being able to support each other; at the same time collectively changing community perceptions about dementia programs.

Attendees will:

• Learn from people with young onset dementia - the 'real' experts in this.
• Understand why it's important to have services that carry the voices of people with YOD who do not want traditional programs
• Explore their own biases and consider what they can do differently in their practice
• Motivate others to better understand the perspective of the person living with the diagnosis

To download a flyer please click here

Hear from Leading Experts

Denise Craig
Senior Psychologist, Cairns ACAT and Memory Service

Ray Morgan
BSL YOD Program Participant

Lisa Astete
Senior Manager, Day and Respite Programs, Brotherhood of St Laurence

Kylie Levett
Program Coordinator Banksia Services, Brotherhood of St Laurence

Seuwandi Wickramasinghe
Research Officer, Retirement and Ageing, Brotherhood of St Laurence

Event Details

Registration Form:
To download a registration form please click here

Online Registration:
Please scroll down, select your type of registration and click 'Submit'

Event Date & Time: Wednesday, 5 August 2015, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Event Location: Fr Tucker’s Room, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Rear of 67 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC
(Entry from Fitzroy St)

Your Investment

AAG Members: FREE
Non-Members: $20.00