The role of a key professional contact to support people with dementia and their carers post-diagnosis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives This co-design study aimed to delineate the optimal characteristics and competencies of a key professional contact in post-diagnostic dementia care from the perspectives of living experience experts and stakeholders in Australia.Method This was a mixed-methods sequential explanatory study employing an initial cross-sectional survey followed by participatory co-design workshops to understand the survey data.Results Seventy-nine participants completed the survey, and 18 joined the workshops. Responses identified the optimal characteristics of the role of a key professional contact (e.g. identifying needs, providing dementia education, facilitating service access, emotional support). The main competencies were university-level qualifications in dementia, training in counselling, relevant work experience. Personal attributes such as empathy, friendliness, relationship-building, and networking were also regarded as key features. The philosophy of this service was person-centered, flexible and integrative.Conclusion This study has the potential to influence policy, formalise the translation of the role of a key professional contact into practice, and contribute to workforce capacity in the aged care sector.
Source: Aging & Mental Health
Authors: Slađana Pavković, Lyn Goldberg, Jane Alty, Melissa Abela, Lee-Fay Low
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7140114491