Funding
2 x research projects and product support for Memory Walk & Jog events
Funding Information
Memory Walk and Jog 2022 and 2023
Tubes of Lucas’ Papaw Ointment provided to support:
- Memory Walk and Jog participants as thank you gift (first 500 in each event)
- Volunteers as a thank you
- Highest fund raiser and highest team at Memory Walk and Jog receive 1 year’s supply
- Dementia Australia Ambassadors
- Other celebrities, influencers, VIPs who attend the day
What is the purpose of Memory Walk and Jog?
Memory Walk & Jog is Dementia Australia’s biggest national fundraising event and brings communities together around Australia to get active and beat dementia, of which there are currently estimated to be 487,500 people living with dementia in Australia. Each event is designed to fit with how a person prefers to get involved. People can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or even form their own cheer squad. There’s a distance to suit everyone, meaning that no-one is left out and guarantees a lot of fun and helps to create a dementia friendly world.
Research project 2022
The Influence of the Aquaporin-4 Gene on the relationship between poor sleep and preclinical dementia
Research conducted by:
- Dr Marina Cavuoto, Monash University
- Associate Professor Matthew Pase, Monash University
- Associate Professor Joanne Ryan, Monash University
Research summary:
Poor sleep can disrupt the brain’s ability to remove toxic waste products that contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. One gene in particular plays an important role in the capacity of the brain to “flush out” waste, however, little is understood about its association between sleep and dementia. This study will investigate whether people with different variants of the gene are more at risk of cognitive decline and early dementia biomarkers in the face of poor sleep. The resulting information could help identify people who would benefit from sleep treatments to prevent dementia.
Research project 2021
Breaking down barriers to accessing dementia-friendly eyecare
Research conducted by:
- Dr Marianne Coleman, University of Melbourne
Research summary:
Dr Coleman’s research project investigates the experiences of people living with dementia, their carers, and optometrists. It aims to improve the experience of eyecare (having an eye test and following eyecare advice), for people with dementia and family caregivers supporting them without fear and confusion. Having good eyesight helps people with dementia maintain their independence, and live at home for longer. It also aims to improve the experience of eyecare for people with dementia for professional optometrists.
During the research Dr Coleman will speak with people with dementia, family caregivers (both supported by a skilled interviewer) and eyecare professionals. This captures views of receiving, supporting and delivering an eye test. The study will collect data from 60 Victorians in these 3 groups: people living with dementia, caregivers and optometrists. They will be interviewed and asked questions relevant to their experiences with eyecare until now. This information will be collated to identify key messages which will be presented to them afterwards, allowing them to brainstorm with the researchers to highlight their own concerns and create information and training materials.
