Cognitive, Dementia and Memory research
The Cognitive, Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) is a specialist diagnostic service that aims to assist people experiencing changes to their memory and thinking through diagnosis and assessment of the psychological, medical and social difficulties associated with memory changes.
It aims to provide information and advice on management and referral to other services as appropriate.
In collaboration with Latrobe University's Professor Glynda Kinsella, and Kerryn Pike, CDAMS manager Elizabeth Rand and Neuropsychologist Liz Mullaly have been involved in developing and researching a memory strategy program for several years. Called the LaTCH Australia Memory Management Program (LaTCH standing for Latrobe University, Caulfield hospital), it is in the final phase of analysis and manuscript development. The research is well into the process of being translated into practice with the LaTCH memory group program now being rolled out through Alzheimers Australia Victoria (AAV). Staff at AAV have been trained as facilitators and trainers and the research team are looking to evaluate this translational process (subject of funding). The program is also being adapted to suit ABI clients with research proposed in conjunction with Western Health.
Current research projects in this area
- Caregiver characteristics and reporting of apathy in memory clinic clients. Elizabeth Mullaly, Matthew Lewis, Glynda Kinsella, Elizabeth Rand
- Does the impact of dementia diagnosis affect engagement with referrals offered at diagnosis? Lewis M, McCabe M, Mellor, Rand E, Dunham A.
- Sleep Disturbance and Cognition in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and health older adults with and without subjective memory complaints. Cavuoto M, Mullaly E, Ong B, Pike K, Rand E, Kinsella
- LaTCH memory strategies project. Kinsella G, Mullaly E, Rand E, Pike K