Dementia is Australia’s leading cause of death, with cases expected to double in the next 25 years. It’s a condition that has been misunderstood, stigmatised and ignored – but researchers and advocates are changing that.
“More than roughly half of all people living in residential aged care will have some form of cognitive impairment,” explains Dr Isabelle Meyer, Executive Director of Dementia Training Australia (DTA). “This is the reality now… If they’re going to be dealing with the reality of their clients in their business, they need to have a dementia strategy.”
For aged care leaders and boards, it’s time to be proactive, not reactive, because there’s more on the line than your reputation.
Manage the risks of dementia by building the right strategy
Dementia isn’t a purely clinical issue – for aged care providers, it’s an operational and leadership priority. Workforce training directly links to risk management, operational success, and quality standards, so having the right strategy in place is crucial to managing the often competing risks of dementia care.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently updated their guidelines for dementia prevention. They found that up to 45% of cases can be prevented or delayed with the right interventions.
“And what we know is that those strategies for preventing the illness are also the strategies we need to use to delay the progression of the more severe symptoms once you have a diagnosis,” Meyer shares.
Changes to diet, social engagement, cognitive and physical activity, environment design, and managing any chronic conditions, can make a huge difference to dementia progression and mitigate risk in care contexts. But leaders must also equip staff with actionable tools to reduce anxiety, burnout, and turnover, which is where Dementia Training Australia can help.
Since 2016 they’ve been providing nationwide, high-quality education and training on the care of people living with dementia. Funded by the Australian Government, DTA has online courses and resources anyone can access for free, including specialised training for boards to evaluate risk profiles and environmental design.
“Organisations need to have risk strategies in place to manage how they interact with their residents,” Meyer emphasises. “That includes making sure that staff are really, really well trained. And when I’m explaining to people what I think is the most empowering thing for carers is, it’s that yes, we need to be able to empower them with the knowledge and skills, but also the resilience they need to keep going.”
How to empower frontline dementia care workers
Carers – both paid care workers and family carers – are vital partners in dementia care delivery. There’s around 1.7 million people in Australia involved in the care of someone living with dementia and without family carers in particular, the formal care system can’t survive.
“Caring for someone living with dementia, no matter what your care setting, is a team sport,” Meyers highlights. “And as a carer, you need to know that you are not alone.”
Providers can share resources, like DTA’s Caring at Home online hub, to build trust with families and improve home-care outcomes. As well as organise training for their staff to make sure they understand the condition and what to look out for. Because carers offer more than clinical help to someone with dementia, but they can’t offer that next level of support if they aren’t supported themselves.
Carers are “world makers”
Social psychologist Tom Kitwood, a pioneer in person-centered dementia care, talks about carers as “world makers”. Kitwood championed the perspective that a person’s experience of dementia is shaped not just by neurological changes, but heavily by their social environment and personal relationships.
Meyer echoes this: “A carer makes the world for someone living with dementia. So whilst that’s a profound responsibility, it’s also an extraordinary gift.” But without the right education and training, the toll of care can lead to burnout, even in the most experienced carers.
Train your staff to be ‘dementia detectives’
When your frontline staff are empowered to observe changes and understand dementia triggers, they can respond proactively before behaviors escalate.
“It’s a really powerful and important superpower that we try to train all carers to have,” explains Meyer.
While the most common triggers are often physical discomfort, environmental stress, and confusion, there’s nuance and detail for each person. This is why education and training are such an important piece of the care puzzle.
Education builds confidence, capability, and resilience
Education can transform complex, daily challenges into structured, compassionate, and effective strategies. Rather than relying on trial and error, proper education gives family members, aged care workers, and leaders the knowledge they need to help prevent and manage this progressive condition.
“The best way to support a carer is to make sure that they are well trained,” Meyer offers. “[This is] so they have, at their fingertips, the knowledge and skills they need to do what they need to do. There is no greater gift and support than we can offer.”
Dementia is everybody’s business
With an estimated 425,000+ Australians currently living with dementia, and a rapidly ageing population, dementia care requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. To start, subscribe to the Australian Journal of Dementia Care to get the latest research, stories, and solutions. Additionally, you can request training from DTA for your Board or team designed to fit your organisation.
