In this episode of Is This Dementia?, hosts Darsh Ayton and Sarah Carmody are joined by Christina Wyatt, a seasoned occupational therapist and Professional Practice Advisor at Occupational Therapy Australia. With over two decades of experience across aged care, rehabilitation, and disability services, Christina offers a look into the vital—yet often underestimated—role of occupational therapy in supporting older adults, including those living with dementia. She explains how OTs help individuals maintain independence, identity, and quality of life through personalised, holistic interventions that address physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Christina also highlights the importance of early detection of cognitive decline, the power of functional assessments, and the collaborative nature of OT within multidisciplinary teams. The conversation explores how OTs contribute not only at the individual level but also at the systems level—advocating for better care models, influencing policy, and improving outcomes in both community and residential aged care. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how occupational therapy can transform dementia care and aged care more broadly.

Christina has shared some links to helpful resources below:

OT and dementia https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/86fd7324-ec79-4215-8637-7ebb06a498a7.pdf

OT in residential aged care https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/4ce6d5e1-904f-4dec-9889-4a8d16c6547c.pdf

OT and behaviour support plans https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/3176a6a9-5ce6-41c4-b296-2acabf666a28.pdf

OT and mealtimes https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/79a02980-5f10-48c7-a475-891cc98be58a.pdf

OT and community aged care https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/86fd7324-ec79-4215-8637-7ebb06a498a7.pdf

OT and falls prevention https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/585e185f-824e-46a2-b41b-4a11fe2c7a8a.pdf

OT and driving https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/0dde41be-6298-4db6-9ea7-28904211a29a.pdf

https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/home-dementia

Join our conversation with Dr Marianne Coleman, an orthoptist and researcher working at the National Centre for Healthy Ageing, a collaboration between Monash University and Peninsula Health. Marianne's dementia research has been funded by the UK Royal Society of Medicine, Fight for Sight (the UK's leading sight loss research charity) and the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

In this episode Marianne shares her extensive knowledge on the intersection of eye care and dementia, emphasising the critical role that regular eye tests play in maintaining the quality of life for all people, including people living with dementia.

Marianne discusses her personal connection to dementia through her grandmother, highlighting the importance of making the most of opportunities for those living with dementia. She explains the role of orthoptists in diagnosing and treating eye movement disorders and how their work intersects with neurological conditions. She highlights why regular eye tests are crucial for people living with dementia and how untreated vision problems can exacerbate cognitive decline and impact daily living.

Addressing the barriers to accessing eye care for people with dementia, particularly in residential aged care settings, Dr. Coleman underscores the need for better dementia-focused training and pathways for eye care professionals. She also shares insights into her research, including her recent Dementia Australia Fellowship project aimed at developing a dementia eye care pathway for residential aged care.

Listen to gain practical advice on supporting eye health in people living with dementia, including the importance of communication between healthcare providers and the role of caregivers. Join us to hear more about this often-overlooked aspect of dementia care and learn how improving eye health can significantly enhance the lives of those affected by dementia.

Links to Marianne's work and recommendations below:

Marianne's dementia eyecare pathway project website:

http://dementiaeyecare.org

Dementia Australia National Library Guide entry on Dementia and Eye Health: https://dementia-org.libguides.com/eye-health-and-dementia

Marianne's dementia-friendly eyecare training course: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/short-courses/dementia-friendly-eyecare/

And find a dementia friendly optometrist or one that visits aged care using this website (select "dementia-friendly" or "aged care" from the services provided box):

https://goodvisionforlife.com.au/find-an-optometrist/

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Madeleine Healy, a passionate geriatrician and general physician supporting people living with dementia. Madeleine works across Monash Health and HammondCare, bringing her expertise to memory clinics, acute and subacute services, residential aged care, and Dementia Support Australia.

In this episode, Madeleine shares her journey into dementia diagnosis and care, particularly for individuals with Down syndrome. She reveals how her passion for helping those with intellectual disabilities led her to pursue a PhD focused on designing a specialised memory clinic for dementia diagnosis for people with Down syndrome. Her PhD is focused on working with people with Down Syndrome to design a memory clinic that meets their needs. She shares about the symptoms of dementia to be aware of in people living with Down Syndrome and the importance of regular screening to understand changes in memory, thinking and function. People living with Down syndrome now live up to 60 years and are the largest population group that are genetically predisposed to developing dementia. Learn why innovative service models are crucial for providing the care and support this community needs. Tune in to hear Madeleine's insights and the vital work being done to improve dementia care for those most at risk

“We need better cognitive services for people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, so that we have equal access to dementia diagnosis and to management and to post diagnostic support.”

Hosted by Darshini Ayton and Sarah Carmody

Produced by Darshini Ayton

Music by Luke Champion

An initiative of the Centre of Research Excellence in Enhanced Dementia Diagnosis which is funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Country. We acknowledge the Traditional owners and custodians of the Wurundjeri Land, the Boonwurrung and the Woiwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present. Lands which Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Lands.