Overview

Recent decades have seen exponential growth in research on modifiable risk factors for dementia across the lifespan. We now have an unprecedented understanding of ways to support brain health.

Within these factors, poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity are often commonly communicated “lifestyle choices” contributing to dementia. However, lifestyle is not the result of “poor choices” alone with the way we live heavily determined by factors beyond our control. Individual behaviours are driven by having the money to buy good food, the time and access to safe spaces to exercise, and appropriate family, community, and/or allied health support.

This webinar will explore the principles of dementia risk-reduction and communication, with a focus on shifting the narrative of dementia risk-reduction from the individual to population-level interventions driven by more equitable health policies which hold greater power to address the global burden of dementia. 

This shift in narrative is also important to help avoid dementia being seen as the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and the associated stigma such perceptions attract. While empowering individuals to live well will always be a health communication priority, we need to avoid overly simplistic aetiology narratives which have the potential to exacerbate current health inequities.

Given well-established psychosocial risk factors for dementia such as depression and social isolation, as well as growing recognition of the benefits of wellbeing for brain health, this webinar will also briefly explore the presenter's research relating to humour as a psychosocial strength.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• Be able to list the 14 dementia risk factors, understand their breadth, and be aware of barriers to their implementation.
• Understand the difference between individual and population level dementia risk reduction strategies.
• Consider how dementia prevention information is communicated in your practice and the potential for health information to have both positive and negative effects.
• Understand that people living with dementia already experience stigma and the importance of person-centred supportive care.
• Consider prioritising psychosocial support and wellbeing as pathways to reducing dementia risk which have the potential to have positive flow on effects for overall behaviour change.

Presenter(s)

Dr. Nikki-Anne Wilson

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Nikki-Anne Wilson is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology and Conjoint Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). She joined UNSW after completing a PhD in Psychology at the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney for which she was sole-recipient of the Graduate Medal for Research Excellence. Her primary research aim is to find new ways to support cognitive health and reduce dementia risk. Dr Wilson's work has a particular emphasis on investigating the processes underlying how we interact with other people and use humour to build social resilience. She is also a member of the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute and the international research network on Population-Level Approaches to Dementia Risk Reduction (PLADRR). Nikki-Anne regularly appears in the media (e.g., The Conversation, ABC Radio, Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian) and has published in leading ageing and neuroscience journals (e.g., Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Ageing & Mental Health, Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, Brain Sciences, Journal of the Neurological Sciences, and Cognition). Her recent paper in The Gerontologist was selected as Editor’s Choice in acknowledgment of its substantial contribution to the field of dementia prevention.

Notes

Target Audience

This event is aimed at psychologists or other clinicians interested in learning more about dementia risk reduction.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event-recording, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.