Professional logo for specialised medical service

MYOD, Melbourne Young Onset Dementia Service

We are a group of neuropsychiatrists, neuropsychologists and other health professionals working in a large hospital.

We have developed a new health service to help young people with dementia (ages 20-60, many in their 30s and 40s). Dementia is associated with a progressive loss of memory and other intellectual functions that is serious enough to interfere with performing the tasks of daily life. Dementia can also causes changes in an individual's personality and behaviour. Common types of dementia are Alzheimer's disease and Fronto-temporal Dementia. Very few other resources are available to help young people with dementia and their families.

This group is different from older persons (over 65s) in their needs and types of disorders - we need to differentiate ourselves from services that deliver services to older groups. Our clients are young and independent.

We provide diagnostic work up, treatment but most importantly follow up with support and counselling for families. We run support groups for patients and families living with these conditions. We also provide information and education for patients and their families as well as other professional groups involved with these disorders.

Our group has many years experience delivering this sort of service. We have strong links to research, through another organisation - Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre.

The target audience is broad. There are two main groups we are targeting.

The first is people who would make a referral to our service. This would include other health professionals, including General Practitioners, Neurologists, Psychiatrists and Allied Health Professionals. They would refer to us to obtain an accurate diagnosis for a patient. They would also refer to us to get assistance with the treatment and management of young people with dementia. The branding will also serve to be the face of our service to Government and other agencies involved with these patients.

The second target audience is people with Young Onset Dementia and their families. We aim to support young people with dementia in the community and assist them in coming to terms with a condition that affects their ability to lead a full and independent life. We want to come across as professional, experienced, trustworthy, caring and supportive.

The word 'dementia' often has a negative stigma attached to it, so we want to try and minimise the stigma for these individuals and their families. Dementia is a very difficult diagnosis to give to a young person. Young people with memory, thinking and behavioural problems are often scared about what is happening to them. People are often unwilling to come and seek help as they are worried about the implications for their independence and their future.

We need a clearly differentiated professional logo.

This will be the "face" of our service, on letterhead and other stationary, act as a banner on websites and label any written material or audiovisual presentations we put together.

It needs to represent the following;

- We specialise in disorders of the brain or neurons

- We offer expert help and support to young people with brain disorders and their families

- We are professional, highly experienced, trustworthy and caring

- We are involved in research in this area

I have attached the MNC Logo