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People with dementia living in long-term care commonly experience loneliness and lack of meaningful activity. Memory Keeper is a prototype digital application that presents personalised prompts to stimulate reminiscences and meaningful engagement with formal and informal carers. A trial involving three persons with dementia in long-term care and seven family and staff members revealed no negative responses to the device or application. Family members said it was valuable in improving the quality of engagement and made visits more enjoyable. If practical and technical barriers can be overcome, Memory Keeper could become an innovative family engagement tool for dementia management.

In response to the shortcomings of current assessment feedback practice, this paper presents the results of a study designed to examine students' and teachers' experience of engaging in a written, reflective and dialogic feedback (WRDF) strategy. The strategy was designed to enhance the learning experience of students undertaking a large first-year core course at a regional Australian university in semester 2, 2012. The evaluation consisted of three components: student surveys pre-and post-WRDF; a student focus group post-WRDF; and a teacher survey post-WRDF. Participating students' and teachers' perceptions of the WRDF assessment feedback suggested that students value feedback highly, and show a preference for feedback combining written, reflective and dialogic processes. The research findings suggest that the WRDF framework can be utilised to address the immediate, practical problem of students' and teachers' dissatisfaction with the practice of assessment feedback. Thus, WRDF may be used to nurture teacher/student relationships and enhance the learning process. Although a relatively intensive process, the WRDF strategy can serve an integral role in enhancing feedback practices and supporting students.

Abstract:Background:This article analyzes case descriptions of child suicides from 2004 to 2012 to inform future policy and practice.Methods:Quantitative data and case descriptions for 159 child suicides (less than 18 years) in Queensland, Australia, were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS and qualitatively using automated content analysis (Leximancer).Results:More than three quarters of child suicides involved hanging and 81% of suicides occurred in the family home. Less than 20% of the deceased left a note, however there was evidence of planning in 54% of cases. Most common triggering events were family conflicts.Conclusions:Effective suicide prevention interventions require a comprehensive understanding of risk factors. Quality of case descriptions varied widely, which can hamper injury prevention efforts through an incomplete understanding of characteristics of and important factors in child suicide. Additional attention and resources dedicated to this public health issue could enhance the development and implementation of effective intervention strategies targeting child and adolescent suicide.

BackgroundYouth and child suicide prevention is a national and global priority. In Australia 35% of all male deaths and 26% of all female deaths by suicide were in the 15–19 years old group. Analysis of available suicide data could inform policy and practice focused on prevention, early intervention and post intervention.MethodsDeidentified child suicide data for the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2014 was analysed using Leximancer version 4 and SPSS Version 22. Variables analysed included gender, age, residence, child safety system records, method of suicide, mental health issues, child abuse and precipitating event among others.ResultsBetween 2004–2014, 159 children commited suicide.Three quarters were 15–17 years of age, with the youngest being 9 years of age. Two thirds were male. Compared to females, males were less likely to be known to the child safety system within the last 3 years before death (p = 0.097), have known mental health of behavioural issues (p = 0.032), show previous suicidal thoughts (p = 0.014) or attempts (p = 0.001) or self-harm (p < 0.001), or have a history of child abuse (p = 0.009). Forty five percent were from very low or low socio-economic areas. Hanging was the most frequent method of suicide and was associated with precipitating arguments. Non-hanging deaths were more likely in metropolitan and outer regional areas, in families with a history of mental illness and in cases with a history of physical abuse. Evidence of planning was present in over half of the cases.ConclusionBetter understanding of characteristics of suicides is important for early detection and prevention. Indicators of planning need to be identified and documented in order to empower communities to take action that protects the children. Multi-level interventions that address the child, the family, the community and health services integration are necessary for both pre and post suicide periods.