Dementia Australia has welcomed Associate Professor Margaret MacAndrew as the inaugural Dementia Australia Honorary Nursing Advisor today.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said Associate Professor MacAndrew has made a significant contribution to dementia awareness and care.
“We are delighted to welcome Associate Professor MacAndrew as our inaugural Honorary Nursing Advisor,” Prof Buchanan said.
“Nurses play a vital role in dementia care, providing essential expertise, care and support, and improving the quality of life for people living with dementia.”
“Associate Professor MacAndrew brings with her a wealth of nursing expertise and passionate advocacy for dementia care, so we are thrilled to have her support at Dementia Australia as our inaugural Dementia Australia Honorary Nursing Advisor.”
Associate Professor MacAndrew completed her PhD on the characteristics of dementia-related boundary transgression, the characteristic of wandering behaviour that takes the person into out of bounds or hazardous areas. Her current research aims to improve the safety of people with dementia who wander through better assessment and use of non-pharmacological interventions to support them to walk safely with dementia.
Associate Professor MacAndrew is passionate about dementia education and works in the School of Nursing at Queensland University of Technology. In 2023, she was appointed as the Director of Dementia Training Australia (Qld & NT).
Associate Professor MacAndrew said it was a privilege to be joining Dementia Australia as the inaugural Honorary Nursing Advisor.
“I am committed to improving the quality of life for people with dementia, starting with improving awareness of what dementia is and how the person is affected, particularly for our future nurses.” Associate Professor MacAndrew said.
Dementia Australia Honorary Advisors provide guidance and commentary on research in their field of expertise, act as media spokespeople and represent Dementia Australia in speaking engagements.
Associate Professor MacAndrew will join fellow Honorary Advisors Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Professor Amy Brodtmann, Dr Marita Long, Professor Blossom CM Stephan and Associate Professor Michael Woodward AM.
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.5 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
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Media contacts: Stephen O’Connell, Media and Communications Advisor, 0402 284 257, stephen.oconnell@dementia.org.au
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
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