Janet Beilby
Associate Professor at Curtin University | Dementia & Ageing Researcher
- Improving communication skills for carers, health care providers and family members of people living with dementia.
- Inter-generational programs for valued living with dementia.
- Evaluating the National Framework for Action on Dementia to guide the development and implementation of policies, plans and actions to reduce the risk of dementia and improve the outcomes for people with dementia and their support networks.
- Ensure innovations in technology are priorities and available to support people with dementia, carers, and the workforce.
- Involve people with dementia in decision-making generating mutual respect,
- WA Health
- Speak Easy Association of Australia
- FSFHG Cognitive Impairment Project
- FSFHG Allied Health Education Service
- Dementia Australia
Professional Area: Speech Pathology & Virtual Reality Skills Training
My research focuses on
My research aims to
and trust with great potential for achieving positive impact.
I work closely with
Janet’s Story
I have been a lecturer, researcher, and clinician in the field of dementia, virtual reality and stuttering for over 35 years. As a researcher, I advocate for consumers and community to be in the room. The involvement of people with dementia in decision-making is what generates mutual respect and trust in our work. I have built a dialogue between researchers and consumers that has resulted in consumers feeling empowered and valued, which in turn has delivered outstanding research and discovery. As technology evolves, so can the way we care for people with dementia. I am proud of the design and production of “Jim” the avatar who serves as an ‘Empathy Simulator’ tool for Curtin students studying speech pathology and occupational therapy. This virtual learning environment provides a safe space to train students in communication strategies for people with dementia and their families. Consumers have provided guidance and input in producing the verbal and non-verbal utterances of the avatars in the virtual learning environment and is crucial for authenticity of the dementia care training and ongoing translational research.