Dementia in Practice

In this episode, Steph talks to Rowena Mobbs - a cognitive neurologist with a special interest in CTE and concussion, something that has been gaining interest in mainstream media and research. She talks about the theory and impact that multiple micro traumatic head injuries can have on the brain and what we can do to identify people who may have CTE, as well as talking about strategies for risk reduction.

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In this episode Hilton talks to Paul Yates, Associate Professor and geriatrician and researcher from the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and Austin Health. Paul describes the landscape of Alzheimer’s research in relation to biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease and the use of this to assist with treatments that may be available in the future. Paul talks about some of the limitations and challenges that are facing...

In this episode Steph talks to Madeline Healy a geriatrician from Melbourne who received a Churchill Fellowship to travel internationally and research the services for people living with dementia who also have Down syndrome. Down syndrome is associated with a significant risk of Alzheimer’s disease and there are limited specialist services for this population in Australia. Madeline talks about some of the approaches for suppo...

In this episode Hilton interviews Mark Yates a Geriatrician from Ballarat. Mark introduces some simple principles to use when assessing capacity particularly in relation to the person living with dementia. He talks about the URUC model, which stands for understanding, retain, utilise and communicate information for which they are being assessed.  Mark is able to break down what can be a very complex and challenging process for...

Join Dr Stephanie Daly and her GP colleagues, Drs Hilton Koppe and Rebecca Moore for a fascinating exploration into dementia risk reduction. In light of the 2024 Lancet Commission Report in which it was announced that approximately 45 percent of dementia is attributable to modifiable risk, there are several simple lifestyle modifications which people can institute which may help mitigate their risk of developing dementia.

Resources...

A very special episode of Dementia in Practice where one of our own GPs, Dr Steph Daly talks with her GP colleagues Drs Hilton Koppe and Rebecca Moore about the challenges she experienced as a doctor and a daughter when one of her parents was diagnosed with dementia.

Resources

Providing person centered care - About me document Dementia Support Australia – for assisting in creating information about an individual.

https://www....

In this, the first episode for Season 4, Dr Hilton Koppe interviews Occupational Therapist and Professional Practice Advisor for Aged Care, Christina Wyatt.

Occupational therapists are considered underutilized in the post-diagnostic care of people living with dementia and Christina explains the important role an occupational therapist can play. OTs apply an individualized, strength-based approach in the home, which helps enable the...

Dr Marita Long speaks with neuropsychologist and researcher, Prof Caroline Gurvich about the interplay between gender and dementia, with a particular focus on what happens during the menopause.

Australian Menopause Society

https://www.menopause.org.au/images/stories/infosheets/docs/AMS_Oestrogen_and_cognition_in_the_perimenopause_and_menopause.pdf 

Brain fog in menopause: a health-care professional’s guide for decision-making and...

Our team of Dementia Training Australia’s GP Educators, Steph Daly, Marita Long and Hilton Koppe discuss the strengths and weaknesses of cognitive assessment tools, and how they can be optimally used in the assessment of people with possible cognitive impairment. 

Standardised Mini Mental State Exam (SMMSE)

The test: https://www.ihacpa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-08/smmse-tool-v2.pdf 

Guidelines for administration and scoring i...

In this episode, Dr Hilton Koppe speaks with Spencer Ratliff whose father died from younger onset dementia. We hear about the challenges his family overcame and how they were able to create a legacy as a result of their experiences.

Dr Steph Daly speaks with speech pathologist Kim Torresi about her insights into how implementing strategies for improving communication can result in improved quality of life for people living with dementia.

Dr Marita Long speaks with Prof Nicholas Ashton from Sweden about the development of blood tests which may be able to detect changes of Alzheimer’s Disease before a person develops symptoms.

Our roving reporter, Dr Marita Long spoke with Prof Maria Eriksdotter from Sweden and our good friend Prof Kaarin Anstey at the 2023 Australian Dementia Research Forum. Prof Eriksdotter explained the benefits of having a national register for people with dementia and other chronic conditions, while Prof Anstey discusses ways in which we can use the CogDrisk an evidence-based tool to help identify and modify a person’s risk factors ...

In our first episode of Dementia in Practice for Season 3, Dr Marita Long caught up with Prof Henry Brodarty and A/Prof Michele Callisaya at the 2023 Australian Dementia Research Forum. They discuss the role of training for the brain and the body, and a re-enablement approach to assisting people with dementia or cognitive impairment.

In many ways dementia in younger people is similar as in older age, however there are differences the GP needs to consider.  Hilton, Steph and Marita meet with Professor Amy Brodtmann to discuss the similarities and differences in the identification and post-diagnostic care of younger onset dementia.

Neuropsychology assessments are often thought to be a necessary component of making a dementia diagnosis but Professor Sharon Naismith returns to talk with the team about the role of the neuropsychologist and how and when they can assist GPs in the diagnosis and post-diagnostic care of people living with dementia.

Dr Eddy Strivens meets with the team to discuss his research work in the Torres Strait Islands and the specific needs of first nations people living with dementia.

Social and community connections provide invaluable support to people living with dementia. Professor Dimity Pond joins Hilton, Steph and Marita to discuss how GPs can utilise social prescribing strategies to optimise the quality of life for people living with dementia.

Part 2 of the 2 part Sleep Matters episode.