This year's Wicking Trust Symposium, which brings together leading researchers and practitioners in the fields of ageing and Alzheimer's' Disease, will zero in on one of the hot topics of 2020 – quality in aged care.
"The quality of life experienced in our later years and how we care for older Australians that are in need of assistance are always important issues in our community. However, this year interest has been significantly heightened because of the tragic deaths in aged care due to the pandemic, and the subsequent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearing and the special report on this subject recently released by the Commission," said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees.
Held virtually tomorrow (14 October) the very timely panel session What's quality got to do with it? will be led by moderator, Associate Professor Colm Cunningham, and Director of The Dementia Centre, HammondCare with panellists Professor June Andrews, Ian Henschke, Dr Stephen Judd and Professor Susan Kurrle (see link below to full media release for speaker bios).
It will be followed by a keynote by world-renowned dementia researcher Professor Colin Masters AO presenting a session on Alzheimer's disease - early diagnosis and how we will delay onset and slow progression.
The day will also include presentations from three impressive shortlisted projects spanning robotics, palliative care and homelessness – all vying for a 2020 Wicking Trust major grant in the order of $1.5 million over up to five years.
The J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust (The Wicking Trust) was established under the terms of the Will of the late John Oswald Wicking, following his death in June 2002. The major grants program aims to achieve systemic change in the areas of ageing and Alzheimer's disease
"The Wicking Trust is now one of Australia's most significant charitable trusts, distributing around $4 million annually, and has well-established partnerships with Vision Australia and the O'Brien Foundation (formerly the Microsurgery Foundation) – two charities John and Janet Wicking were particularly dedicated to," said Ms Kennedy.
"Equity Trustees is proud to be a part of supporting how we, as a community, find ways to deal with the complex issues we face as a community in caring for, and dealing with, the many challenges that can come with ageing, and the many opportunities presented by a growing cohort of healthy and engaged older Australians," she said.
More about the Wicking Trust is available here.
