Prof. Richard Fleming from the University of Wollongong’s Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities recently visited the Department of Gerontology and Dementia Studies as a visiting lecturer. This visit was organised by Dr Maria Aurora Fenech.

Prof. Fleming stands out in his significant contributions to the field of dementia care, particularly in environmental design and assessment. His work has directly influenced Australian policy and guidelines for dementia care environments. He worked on developing evidence-based tools for dementia care environments, carried out research on depression prevalence in Australian nursing homes, contributed to the implementation of nationwide knowledge translation strategies. He was also focal towards the launch and editing of the Australian Journal of Dementia Care. His expertise is internationally recognised through collaborations with major institutions worldwide, including universities in Scotland, Canada and England. Prof. Fleming’s research and practical contributions have significantly advanced the understanding and implementation of effective dementia care environments internationally.

The lectures, attended by current and past alumni of the department, revolved around the 'Dignity Manifesto,' where Prof. Fleming explained the principles and guidelines for promoting respectful and inclusive design for older persons living with dementia. This subsequently led to discussions on enhancing the design of environments for the older persons. The sessions also addressed the debate between segregated and integrated living within residential facilities, along with community engagement and participation. Finally, Prof. Fleming discussed the shift from a medical model of care to a more social model. The highlight of the lectures was the discussion on improving environmental designs for older persons living with dementia in long-term care settings.

During his visit, Prof. Fleming toured care homes and delivered the keynote address at the official launch of the Older Persons Standards Authority. Concurrently, Dr Fenech is leading the local evaluation of the Dignity Environmental Assessment Tool, a project internationally coordinated by Prof. Fleming. The Older Persons Standards Authority is also playing a crucial role as a key partner in this collaboration.