Dr Moira Dunsmore
University of Sydney
Grant: $24,751.58
Developing integrated care models for older adults with dual sensory impairment (DSI) and their family carers
Dr Moira Dunsmore is an early career researcher with transdisciplinary experience in nursing, public health, and health social science. She is a senior lecturer in the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, and an early career researcher with a focus on social experiences of older persons with dual sensory impairment (DSI). Her research explores social capital and ageism, carer role, communication, and health care access. Early collaborations with Menzies Centre (Vision Hearing Project [NHMRC]) and Vision Australia led to the completion of doctoral work and further published research in the DSI area, most recently as co-author on 'Dual Sensory Impairment and Older Adults: an invisible epidemic', Lived Places Publishing, New York).
This co-design project will pilot a novel model of care, Conscious Caring, to address a gap in health and social care for older adults living with dual sensory impairment (DSI). If left untreated or, without appropriate support, DSI may undermine the ability to live independently and/or negatively impact psychosocial functioning. While increases in care needs are often met by family carers, there is limited data regarding caring experiences or strategies to support caring in this context. It is anticipated that ‘bridging the social gap’ in services for family carers, will facilitate ‘ageing in place’ with improved quality of life and reduced interpersonal tension within the caring dyad.