Creating a dementia enabling university using a Knowledge Translation approach: Innovative practice.

Universities can promote social impact by developing a dementia literate workforce. The Dementia Enabling University Strategy utilised a knowledge translation framework in an Australian university to inspire and support academics to engage students and consider how their skills and knowledge could contribute to the creation of more supportive environments for people with dementia. Dementia Enabling University Strategy ran across eight disciplines: law, media, social sciences, public health, engineering, business, marketing and psychology and was successful in engaging university academics and students. However, a longer term strategy is needed to embed 'dementia' as core business to the university impact agenda.

What is the impact of dementia on occupational competence, occupational participation and occupational identity for people who experience onset of symptoms while in paid employment? A scoping review.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Engagement in meaningful occupation, including paid work is considered an important determinant of health, impacted by injury or illness. Dementia is one neurodegenerative syndrome with potential to compromise capacity for remaining engaged in paid employment. In response to 'ageing' populations globally, policy shifts within developed economies are increasing workforce participation for those over 45 years and eligibility ages for retirement pensions. Dementia onset is not limited to 'older age', consequently an increased impact of dementia is likely for both older workers and those experiencing younger onset dementia. Therefore, identifying and addressing workforce participation issues confronting people with dementia is becoming increasingly important for occupational therapy practice. METHOD: This scoping review draws on peer reviewed literature to explore the impact of dementia on workers across the three domains of occupational engagement: occupational competence; occupational participation; and occupational identity using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). International studies published in English including full-text translations between 2000 and 2017 were identified from an incremental search of electronic databases (Web of Science; Scopus; Proquest; MEDLINE; CINAHL; and Health Business Elite) and hand searched reference lists. RESULTS: Six relevant papers were identified and retained for analysis, all reporting qualitative studies. Data were collated under the three domains of occupational engagement and further organised into emergent subcategories. While evidence was limited, person-centred approaches addressing dementia-related changes in occupational competence; workforce participation choices; and redefinition of occupational identity may mitigate negative experiences associated with transitioning from paid worker roles. CONCLUSION: There is a significant need for further research exploring the impact of dementia on engagement in paid work. Occupational therapists have an important part to play in enabling access to person-centred interventions that promote continued engagement in meaningful occupational roles, including opportunities to extend workforce participation and engage in supported transitions to retirement.

Aged care safety dilemma: caring-for-self versus caring-for-residents.

AIM: To identify aged care specific work health and safety management issues by applying James Reason's safety culture theory to one residential aged care provider in Australia. METHODS: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with frontline care staff at three residential care facilities - all operated by the same provider - garnered employee perceptions of the safety culture and aged care specific challenges in their work environment. Thematic analysis of participant responses against the premises of James Reason's safety culture theory was undertaken. RESULTS: An aged care safety dilemma exists for frontline staff between looking after their own safety, a fundamental premise in work health and safety management, and caring for residents. CONCLUSIONS: A 'culture of care' and professional identity inhibit safe behaviour. Organisational learning from incidents could assist employees in putting their safety first in care scenarios. Evaluating perceived barriers to carer-first safety practices, such as understaffing or time pressures, may facilitate safer outcomes.