RETIRED psychologist Bobby Redman was in her mid-60s when she noticed problems remembering the names of close friends, and would have trouble finding the right words to express herself.
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Two years ago, aged 66, Bobby was told she had frontotemporal dementia. Now she is helping others who have been diagnosed with dementia, and who live at home, cope with their prognosis.
Bobby is a peer supporter for a new University of Sydney trial which offers coaching and support to help people deal with their prognosis and stay active and involved in the community.
My story is a bit different because with my psychology background I knew something was definitely wrong but a dementia diagnosis is still a shock for anyone, she said.
And whats probably hardest is that, like in my experience, many people with early dementia are just told to come back when things get worse or to get their things in order.
She said there are there are tools and strategies to help manage the impact of dementia. Even simple things like using my phone to set daily reminders to drink water and stay hydrated.
The Dementia Lifestyle Coach pilot study is a collaboration between the universitys Faculty of Health Sciences and Brain and Mind Centre. Participants receive 14 counselling and coaching sessions from a registered psychologist over six months and will also have regular phone or Skype catch-ups with a peer supporter.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Lee-Fay Low said the pilot study has the potential to fill a vital service gap and keeping the mind and body active could slow the progression of dementia.
Following a dementia diagnosis many people withdraw from their friends and family for fear they will deteriorate quickly and can suffer immense grief or depression, she said.
I want to try and help people see they can fight back. I think that's the key, you can't just give into it.
- Bobby Redman, peer supporter living with dementia
There are over 400,000 Australians living with dementia and with a cure still some way off its essential we help people with early dementia to live well. We hope that giving people the right support, tools and strategies from the onset could help achieve this. Bobby wants to see more clinicians trained to provide strategies to help people overcome simple issues. I want to try and help people see they can fight back. I think thats the key you cant just give into it, she said.
The pilot will run for 12 months. People whove received a diagnosis of early dementia within the past six months are eligible.
- Phone 9351-9837, email annica.barcenilla@sydney.edu.au
