Claire MC O'Connor

Experience

• 2022–present
  Senior research fellow (honorary), Neuroscience Research Australia
• 2022–present
  Honorary research associate, HammondCare
• 2022–present
  Senior research fellow, University of New South Wales
• 2017–2022
  Conjoint lecturer, University of New South Wales
• 2017–2022
  Research fellow, HammondCare
• 2016–2017
  Research occupational therapist, Neuroscience Research Australia
• 2012–2016
  Project Coordinator Tailored Activities Program, University of Sydney
• 2011–2013
  Research Occupational Therapist, Neuroscience Research Australia

Education

• 2017 
  University of Sydney, PhD
• 2010 
  University of Sydney, MOT (Hons)
• 2008 
  Western Sydney University, B. Science (Med)

Publications

• 2017
  Behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia: distinct phenotypes with unique functional profiles, Neurology
• 2016
  Longitudinal change in everyday function and behavioral symptoms in frontotemporal dementia, Neurology: Clinical Practice
• 2016
  Functional disability and the impact of frontotemporal dementia in everyday life, Hodges’ Frontotemporal Dementia (2nd Ed)
• 2016
  Enhancing caregivers’ understanding of dementia and tailoring activities in frontotemporal dementia: two case studies, Disability and Rehabilitation
• 2015
  Modified activities acted as a mediator to facilitate engagement and address the needs and personal preferences of people with dementia, Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
• 2014
  Use of the Tailored Activities Program to reduce neuropsychiatric behaviours in dementia: An Australian protocol for a randomised trial to evaluate its effectiveness, International Psychogeriatrics
• 2014
  Functional disability in primary progressive aphasia, Aphasiology
• 2013
  Enhancement of carer skills and patient function in the non-pharmacological management of FTD: A call for randomised controlled studies, Dementia and Neuropsychologia
• 2011
  Using video simulated presence to reduce resistance to care and increase participation of adults with dementia, American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

Grants and Contracts

• 2022
  Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) for individuals with frontotemporal dementia: increasing service and family capacity through a mentoring and training model

  Role:

  AI

  Funding Source:

  Association for Frontotemporal Dementia Pilot Grant

• 2022
  Supporting changed behaviours: Positive Behaviour Support in younger-onset dementia

  Role:

  AI

  Funding Source:

  DARF Dementia Grants Program

• 2022
  Bridging the implementation gap: maximising everyday function for people with dementia

  Role:

  PI

  Funding Source:

  Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration (DCRC) Post-doctoral Fellowship

• 2022
  Optimising functional and social independence and safety of older people living with dementia in care homes: Implementation research

  Role:

  CI

  Funding Source:

  NHMRC Partnership Project (APP 2014821)

• 2021
  Developing a model for rehabilitation in the home (RITH), as hospital substitution for the reconditioning rehabilitation impairment codes

  Role:

  CI

  Funding Source:

  Medibank Better Health Research Grant

• 2020
  HammondCare Darlinghurst: Quantifying the social impact of the residential aged care home for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

  Role:

  CI

  Funding Source:

  Erica Foundation Grant

• 2020
  Implementing Arts on Prescription (AoP)@Home for people living with dementia and their family carers

  Role:

  PI

  Funding Source:

  Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration (DCRC) Implementing Research Evidence into Practice Grant

• 2019
  Developing an assessment guide for practitioners implementing reablement programs for people living with dementia

  Role:

  PI

  Funding Source:

  AAG RM Gibson Research Fund Grant

• 2018
  Positive Behaviour Support for individuals with frontotemporal dementia: a family education program

  Role:

  AI

  Funding Source:

  Charles Perkins Centre Active Ageing Research Node Seeding Grant

• 2017
  Implementation of the Tailored Activity Program at home for people with dementia who have BPSD and their family: i-TAP-Australia

  Role:

  AI

  Funding Source:

  National Health and Medical Research Council

Professional Memberships

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) - Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
• International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
• International Society for Frontotemporal Dementias (ISFTD)
• Occupational Therapy Australia
• Australian Association of Gerontology