Are you ready for the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards?

The aged care, residential and community sector is in a state of transformation, with more strengthened standards currently in development.

With a focus on training and education, these standards highlight the importance of providing high-quality, person-centred care to all residents—including people living with dementia.

But what does this mean for your organisation? In short: it’s never been more important to get your team up to speed on the essentials of dementia care.

Taking a new approach to dementia care

The 2021 aged care royal commission’s report into the aged care sector presented clear recommendations on training. Ensuring care workers, nurses and allied health professionals receive dedicated training opportunities that enable them to provide a high level of care to people with dementia.

With approximately 68 per cent of aged care residents having moderate to severe cognitive impairment, dementia is on the rise—and as the condition progresses, the needs of someone with dementia become increasingly complex. To this effect, the report highlighted that staff who receive training are better equipped to meet the changing needs of people with dementia.

With valuable, relevant and practical education and training, organisations can transform the care experience. Training gives your team the skills they need, as well as opportunities to access more desirable career paths. It gives your organisation a competitive advantage to help you attract and retain talent. And it translates into more stable, happier work environments and a better overall experience for residents.

To support organisations to meet the Aged Care Quality Standards, Dementia Australia (RTO code 2512) has updated its Dementia Essentials course (CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia; previously CHCAGE005 Provide support to people living with dementia) to better cater for the needs and expectations of the care sector.

Learning the essentials of quality dementia care

Dementia Essentials is a foundational course, giving your team a blueprint to support someone living with dementia.

The highly structured course provides both practical and theoretical learning. Team members receive support from experienced facilitators as they explore strategies in communication, planning, developing activities and understanding changed behaviours in people with dementia.

By completing the course, your team gains knowledge in:

• person-centred care
• the nature of dementia, its progression and the impact it has on the person
• communicating and identifying unmet needs
• understanding changed behaviours, developing effective responses and creating supportive environments
• creating activities to promote wellbeing and meaning
• the role and scope of assistive technology
• workplace issues, the impact of community support, and available services.

The nationally recognised course builds capacity in Aged Care Quality Standards 1 to 8, with participants achieving a Statement of Attainment and earning CPD points when they successfully complete the course.

Training to transform the experience of people with dementia

When you enrol your employees in Dementia Essentials, you lift the standard of dementia care in your organisation and transform the experience of the people you care for.

Available Australia-wide, this course allows you to choose the delivery option that best suits your team – online or face-to-face. Active participation is at the heart of the course, with the face-to-face option allowing staff to connect with peers and share their experiences.

As a fully funded course, there’s no cost to enrol. But the course will pay dividends for your team, your organisation and the people you care for. Together, we can make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. 

Interested in enrolling your staff in the Dementia Essentials course? Learn more about the course on our website or contact us for more information.