A series of ‘Lunchbox Lectures’ in Gympie by leading academics and aged-care professionals will explore key issues for the elderly, including dementia, social isolation and end-of-life care.

Open to the region’s clinical care providers, allied health professionals and carers, as well those caring for elderly family members and friends, the lectures are presented by the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Gympie campus in partnership with Lutheran Services.

Also attending will be a group of third year UniSC nursing students, who will complete the seminars as part of a tailored professional development program being incorporated into their final year placement at Lutheran Services Cooinda Aged Care.

UniSC Senior Lecturer in Nursing Dr John Rosenberg said the issues targeted were critical to the care of older people, including a wound care and pain management lecture on 19 October.

Falls prevention and social isolation will be examined on 26 October, while another lecture on 2 November will cover the at times confronting topic of End of life and palliative care.

The presentation will take a holistic view of the kinds of issues that may arise at the end of life for older people to allow greater understanding of grief and loss for families, fellow residents and staff of residential aged care facilities.

The final seminar on 9 November will deal with Dementia. It will cover the need to consider increasing public awareness, reducing stigma and social isolation and facilitating access to services and support for sufferers and carers as a matter of urgency, and improving the education of professionals regarding dementia.

Presenters will include Queensland Manager for the Centre for Dementia Learning Caylie Field; Dr Judy McCrow, who is an expert in Behaviours Support and an Aged Care Service Manager at Lutheran Services; and Dr Ruth Devin, a geriatrician and Senior Medical Officer with the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.

The Lunchbox Lectures are being held at UniSC’s Gympie campus. For dates and times go to www.eventbrite.com.au and search ‘lunchbox lectures’. For more information contact: gympie@usc.edu.au