Elly Mackay
1 May 2025: A 91Ö±²¥ PhD student has received a $30,000 grant from the Dementia Australia Research Foundation to further his research into young onset dementia and the impacts of exercise and social activities on the progression of the disease.
Nic Lawlis, from the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE) at the Faculty of Health, received the Dr Maree Farrow Memorial Clinical Practice Post-Graduate Stipend. He said the grant will allow him to put more time into his research, as well as work.
“It allows me to pay an official Dementia Australia advocate – an individual living with young onset dementia – to assist in the design of my final research project, to improve the participant experience and further tailor it for people with young onset dementia,” Mr Lawlis said.
“The funding will also serve to cover the costs of some needed research equipment, and go towards a dementia symposium, at which local dementia researchers, clinicians and those with lived experience can share their stories and research, with the goal of expanding knowledge to improve post-diagnostic care and support for people living with dementia.”
Those diagnosed with young onset dementia are younger than 65.
Mr Lawlis said that when someone is diagnosed with dementia at a younger age than the majority of cases, it can mean that daily responsibilities and routines are largely affected.
“It isn’t uncommon for people with young onset dementia to still be caring for and supporting children and other dependents, managing employment responsibilities, or other social and community responsibilities,” Mr Lawlis said.
“These challenges make dealing with a dementia diagnosis difficult in very unique ways.”
Financial stress due to the loss of one or both incomes (if a spouse needs to quit paid employment to take up caring responsibilities) and domestic stressors can create additional barriers for people with young onset dementia.
The research that Mr Lawlis is completing aims not only to equip allied health professionals with the resources to provide improved post-diagnostic support for people with young onset dementia, but to paint a picture of more effective models of exercise treatment that are tailored for younger people.
“These models, in conjunction with improvements in care within other allied health professions and lifestyle interventions, have the overarching goal of preserving quality of life, independence and health for as long as possible, to improve the lives of those living with young onset dementia – as well as their families and support network,” Mr Lawlis said.
Mr Lawlis has been working on this research for over two years, and is likely to complete his findings within the next 12 to 18 months.
So far, his research has found that a number of the unique circumstances experienced by sufferers of young onset dementia are also barriers to participating in exercise.
However, people with young onset dementia are similarly active to people of the same age without dementia.
“Based on these findings, the next part of my research will focus on removing some of the barriers to attending and participating in an intervention, as well as intensifying the intervention,” Mr Lawlis said.