Tasmania’s first multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to assessing and diagnosing memory and cognitive problems will open today.
The Tasmanian Memory and Cognition Clinic is a service which aims to help Tasmanians who are experiencing difficulties related to their memories.
Members from the community will be able to access expert diagnostic services in relation to problems associated with memory, or related disorders, via a referral from their GPs.
The clinic is based in Hobart and is part of the ISLAND Project at the University of Tasmania’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre.
“The clinic is the first of its kind for the state in providing a multidisciplinary accessible service which can help with the potential diagnosis of dementia and related conditions,” Centre Director Professor James Vickers said.
“The clinic aims to provide a comprehensive service – with a neurologist, geriatricians, nurse and neuropsychologist – all part of the team of clinicians to help assess, diagnose and support people with memory and cognition issues.”
Professor Vickers said the clinic will also provide an invaluable opportunity to expand clinical research capacity associated with memory-related conditions, such as dementia.
“The research conducted will also be linked to the National Health and Medical Research Council-funded Australian Dementia Network (ADNet) and will provide new information about the care experiences of people with dementia,” he said.
“Local research will also include new methods to diagnose dementia in its earliest stages.”
About the ISLAND Project
The ISLAND Project is the largest dementia study of its kind in the world by targeting a whole population (the population of Tasmania) through a public health campaign. Tasmania has the oldest population in the country, and age is the biggest risk factor for dementia.
The project is open to all Tasmanians aged over 50, and provides strategies for individuals and communities to promote and engage in activities to improve many dementia risk factors.
Project participants also engage in a range of ancillary research studies to identify those at most risk of dementia through a combination of factors.
