Research > Assessment and Better Care Outcomes
Assessment and Better Care Outcomes
Technology and Design
Current Projects
| Centre | Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre |
| Node | The Hammond Care Group |
| Project Title | Review of the role of technology and environmental design in delivering better care outcomes for people with dementia |
| Researchers | Mr Richard Fleming, Professor Patrick Crookes, Dr Shima Sum |
| Description | There is an increasing body of evidence that suggests people with dementia can be assisted by the provision of special environments and technology aimed at improving their communication, mobility, manipulation, orientation, cognition and life style. The present study will review this research to identify specific examples of proven effectiveness and to lay a foundation for a systematic approach to improving the piecemeal research effort. It will also identify and discuss the ethical issues raised by the application of some of the technologies. |
| Anticipated Completion | 30/06/2008 |
| Products | Full Literature Review, Literature Review Summary and Brief Literature Review Summary |
| Contact | Mr Richard Fleming |
| Centre | Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre |
| Node | Assistive Technology and Environment |
| Project Title | Environmental design for people with dementia: charting the gap between theory and practice in the design of new residential facilities |
| Researchers | Mr Richard Fleming, Professor Patrick Crookes, Associate Professor Victoria Traynor, Professor Ian Forbes |
| Description | There is now a substantial body of literature describing good practice in the design of environments for people with dementia. It has been established that a well designed environment can, for example, reduce confusion and agitation, provide opportunities for engagement in meaningful activities, encourage social interaction and assist staff to carry out their work. However anecdotal information suggests that the theory is not translating into practice.
This project will compare 6 recently completed residential aged care facilities, that have been built to accommodate people with dementia, with a set of principles derived from the literature review currently in progress within the primary CRC. Where gaps are identified key stakeholders, e.g. the architect and proprietor, will be interviewed to identify the obstacles that prevented best practice being put into place. |
| Anticipated Completion | 01/12/2008 |
| Products | TBA |
| Contact | Mr Richard Fleming |