Learning about dementia, ageing and more

Many of you know that besides being your Supply Minister, I am a Guest preacher at various Churches (e.g. Killara UCA), a Marriage Celebrant, a Justice of the Peace, the Convenor of the JNC (Joint Nominating Committee) for Warnervale Regional UCA, and involved in the Supervision of Ministers and Lay people for their well-being and longevity in ministry.

In my spare time I also like to teach people about Dementia and Ageing. I do this in Churches and Community Groups e.g. Rotary. I have led many Discussing Dementia sessions over the past 8 years, speaking to nearly 2,000 people. In early June I will be doing this at Forestville UCA. 

Besides completing a Graduate Diploma in Dementia Care through the University of Tasmania (UTAS), I continue to learn and grow through what are known as MOOCs: Massive Open Online Courses. These are run by the Wicking Centre at UTAS. These are FREE online courses which can be done over 10 weeks. They are open to anyone, anywhere in the world. They are massive, both in terms of who can do them, but also in terms of who presents the information and where these presenters come from. For example, in the Understanding Dementia MOOC we watch videos from those living with dementia, carers, Doctors, and Researchers from around the world. The MOOCs are so highly regarded that UTAS MOOCs are in the top 10 free online courses worldwide. Not bad for a small University in Tasmania!

There will soon be five MOOCs:

Understanding Dementia – Always open

Preventing Dementia – Always open

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury – New session starting 24^th March

Parkinson’s (Disease) – Open now

Motor Neurone Disease – Launching on 21^st March

I am currently doing Module 2 (of 5) of the Parkinson’s (Disease) MOOC. I am learning about the signs and symptoms of this disease. I am hearing from those living with Parkinson’s, their family, Doctors, and Experts in the field. I can’t wait for Module 3 which looks at the brain!

I hope that your appetites have been whetted! Simply click on this link or google “utas moocs”: https://mooc.utas.edu.au/.

Remember that educating ourselves about Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury are not just personal pursuits. They help us to understand others: family, friends, and others in our Church and the wider community. When we combine knowledge with compassion we are reflecting the reality that we are made in the image of God: a God who knows and God who cares. The MOOCs are another part of God’s plan from Jeremiah 31:11 to give us all “hope and a future”.

With hope and joy,

Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput), Supply Minister