Dr Meredith Gresham
Affiliation: University of New South Wales
Project Title: Living with uncertainty: What information do people with mild cognitive impairment and families need and want after diagnosis?
Awarded: $19,777
Aims of the project:
Aim:
To understand what information, strategies and supports will improve the diagnostic and post-diagnostic experience of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their main supporters, as foundational research for a national dissemination project.
Objectives:
Through a triadic case study approach,
- Explore what information about MCI is wanted and needed from the perspectives of people with MCI, their supporters, and health care professionals.
- Understand appropriate and accessible formats for providing information, and
- Probe the most appropriate ways in which information can be delivered for these three groups.
Meredith Gresham, PhD, is an Occupational Therapist with over 35 years clinical and research experience focusing on support of people with dementia and carers. She has expertise in re-ablement, the design of the physical environment and use of assistive technology to improve function and independence of older people. She developed a model of residential care for people with very severe behaviours in dementia, now being implemented nationally. Her PhD, conferred in 2019 was a clinical utility study of novel bidet technology that improved toileting care for aged care residents and staff. She currently works at UNSW Sydney, coordinating the international COGNISANCE project, that aims for global improvement in the communication of dementia diagnosis and post diagnostic support.