Creating digital tools to support dementia care

Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers

Empowering carers and those with mild cognitive impairment or early stage dementia is a focus for early career researcher Dr Lua Perimal-Lewis, Research Fellow at Flinders University’s Digital Health Research Centre.

Currently, there are no frameworks or support mechanisms for carers of people with early stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment to comply with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interventions.

Dr Perimal-Lewis is addressing this gap by developing an online platform to embed digital tools and online support options such as online calendars with reminders, brain training exercises and image-based contact list for phone calls.

Last year Dr Perimal-Lewis received donor-funded Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers to scope her study with a group aged over 65 who are having difficulty remembering people, appointments or tasks.

‘The funding is enabling me to examine the feasibility, adoption rate and value of delivering brain training and physical activities using a tablet-based application to assist people living with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia,’ says Dr Perimal-Lewis.

Dr Lua Perimal-Lewis, Research Fellow at Flinders University’s Digital Health Research Centre

The grant also enabled her to attend the international OpenLivingLab Days conference and workshop organised by the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) in Geneva where she was able to learn about practical elements of user-driven innovation and advances in co-creation methodologies, tools and best practices.

"Thank you to the donors who have supported the Impact Seed Funding initiative," says Dr Perimal-Lewis.

"It has given me the opportunity to grow as an independent researcher and build capacity in digital health research, which I am passionate about."

The Impact Seed Funding grants supports brave new research at Flinders University that has the potential to create positive change throughout our community.

However, we need your support to continue to provide Impact Seed Funding grants for early career researchers to carve their unique research pathways, build international collaborations and make new discoveries.

100% of your tax-deductible donation will support Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researcher grants.

Donate today

_{^{Published 2020.}}

Flinders University Logo

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online