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ThesisCC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access
Dissertation
An in-depth understanding of employment role transitions for persons with Younger Onset Dementia (YOD): Experiences and supports
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00986
Abstract
Younger onset dementia (YOD) is a progressive neurological condition which impacts persons under 65 years of age. YOD significantly impacts on a person’s cognitive functioning, personality, identity, relationships, and employment. Many persons with YOD report a traumatic cessation of employment, with negative financial and psychological outcomes. The scoping review revealed that YOD has significant implications for employment. There are many benefits of employment, and employers have a legal duty to provide reasonable adjustments; however, many persons with YOD have reported a lack of collaboration, planning, and support from their employer to continue working. There is limited evidence regarding how to effectively support persons with YOD to remain employed and to transition satisfactorily into retirement, and limited information regarding the occupational therapy role in this process. Studies 1 and 3 utilised an exploratory in-depth semi-structured interview research design. Qualitative data were collected via interviews from: 1) Persons with YOD who are, or have been, employed within the last two years; and 2) clinical occupational therapists. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Study 2 employed a modified e-Delphi technique with occupational therapists specialising in dementia. Results of these three studies provide new knowledge regarding: 1) The lived experiences and support needs of persons with YOD regarding their employment and transition into retirement; and 2) both research and clinical occupational therapists’ experience of working with persons with YOD to inform ways in which occupational therapy can support these people within employment
and into retirement. These findings include: 1) Enhancing the scope of the occupational therapy role; 2) more YOD professional development opportunities; and 3) more specialised YOD services. It is believed that these suggestions will contribute usefully to a “best practice” guideline, or framework, encompassing how to appropriately manage risk for people with YOD in the workplace. This research project has increased the body of knowledge regarding the lived experiences of persons with YOD regarding their worker role. It has also provided information to guide development of support strategies for persons with YOD to assist them to remain within the workplace for as long as possible and then to transition satisfactorily into retirement.
Details
- Title
- An in-depth understanding of employment role transitions for persons with Younger Onset Dementia (YOD): Experiences and supports
- Authors
- Laura Page - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health
- Contributors
- Pamela Meredith (Principal Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Cancer Research ClusterDaniel Wadsworth (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Healthy Ageing Research Cluster
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00986
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991189145802621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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