New free dementia training
The new resource aims to give care workers the skills to elevate their interactions with older people.
The Australian government has announced a new educational resource for aged care workers that aims to boost their ability to support people living with dementia.
The Meaningful Engagement module, which is part of the Dementia Training Australia’s Changed Behaviour Toolkit, gives care workers the skills to improve their understanding of dementia and elevate their interactions with those living with condition.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said the free resource would give health and aged care workers a chance to better understand the benefits of meaningful engagement.
“By equipping professionals with essential skills and knowledge, we are enhancing the care provided to people living with dementia, so they feel understood and well cared for,” she said.
The full toolkit includes seven modules that cover:
- understanding aggression and agitation
- communicating with people with dementia
- responding safely to a critical situation
- pain and changed behaviour.
Focusing on best practice approaches, with an emphasis on the person behind the behaviour, the toolkit also explores specific changed behaviour and psychological symptoms.
Managing changes in behaviour for someone living with dementia can be challenging, especially as changes in behaviour usually occur when there is an unmet need, said Isabelle Meyer, who is executive director of Dementia Training Australia.
“Our training focuses on identifying those unmet needs and responding positively,” Ms Meyer said.
“The aged care workforce is diverse in learning preferences and time constraints. By offering multiple training formats and approaches, we’re ensuring that essential knowledge about dementia care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their preferred learning style or workplace demands.”
Each 15-20 minute session is designed to be easy-to-use in busy care settings and completed in any order. Lessons include animations, role-play, videos and interactive activities.
The detailed learning and training portal aims to renovate how care workers support and engage with people living with dementia.
“With more than 400,000 people living with dementia in Australia – a number expected to double by 2058 – education programs like this are crucial for the health and wellbeing of our community,” Ms Wells said.
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