SPECIAL SESSION: Australia's Dementia Research Initiative: The Contribution of Nursing Science

Description/Overview: Nurse researchers have led the way in care-focused research designed to improve the quality of care and quality of life of people living with dementia in Australia. Using existing dementia specific research and knowledge translation initiatives and collaborative processes a series of studies have been undertaken that have contributed to the evidence base related to a number of pressing issues in dementia care including: quality of life, respite care, transitions in care, perceived stigma of diagnosis, palliative approaches to care and non-pharmacological approaches to behavioural and psychological symptom assessment and management. This presentation will provide an overview of the scope of nurse-led dementia research in Australia and the challenges and opportunities for nursing science as the nation develops an integrated approach to dementia research.