Top professional development programs for dementia care

Growth and improvement are at the core of career progression and with a little help from professional development programs you can give your staff the best opportunity to succeed.

But where should you look for the right topics? With a range of learning modules, courses and training opportunities out there it’s easy to be unsure about which is the right fit for your staff.

Hello Leaders is taking a look at professional development courses across a range of disciplines, highlighting what stands out, starting with dementia care. 

Currently, there is no mandatory dementia education for aged care workers despite its prevalence; it’s estimated that over 400,000 people are currently living with a form of dementia.

A growing number of Australians are living in aged care with dementia, and due to the complexity of cognitive decline on a larger scale, dementia education is the key to providing quality care. 

The following professional development programs can help your staff learn and grow by building foundational knowledge that can be used daily. If staff have all the tools they need, your residents will be well looked after.

Ask Annie by Dementia Australia

Dementia Australia is a leading provider of dementia information, resources and education, but nestled among its offerings is a unique smartphone application called Ask Annie.

Ask Annie is an everyday app that care workers can use when they need practical tips and strategies on how to deal with dementia-related incidents. Think of it like an old-fashioned textbook that can be referred to at any time. 

With real-life experiences at the core of its content, it’s an evolving educational tool that helps with delivering person-centred care. Ask Annie is a handy educational resource that’s easy to access and offers regular learning opportunities.

Key learnings 

Ask Annie features short modules that are designed to provide real-life learning experiences for home care and aged care workers encountering challenging dementia-based situations. 

Users can learn how to navigate and respond to people with dementia as they learn about different approaches to care and communication. Scenario-based learning also offers techniques and tips they might not have considered when working with a new client or resident.

What sets it apart 

Modules and topics can be accessed to suit a care worker’s exact needs. For example, if they are working with someone who has communication-based challenges, they can search for relevant modules that can guide their approach when providing care.

Ask Annie can also be accessed via a smartphone or tablet and its accessibility provides frequent opportunities for development throughout the day. There is an instant reward for the time spent completing a module when a resident or home care client can receive improved care right away.

The University of Tasmania’s understanding and preventing dementia

The University of Tasmania’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre currently has two dementia Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) available to aged care professionals.

The first is Understanding Dementia, which began on February 7, but with an April 21 finish it’s still accessible for new participants who can invest the time to catch up. Meanwhile, Preventing Dementia begins on May 16 and will run for six weeks.

Key learnings 

Understanding Dementia provides a thorough overview of the disease, including how it affects the brain and body, its progression compared to normal ageing, and how a range of therapies and tools can be used to manage it.

Preventing Dementia delivers some of the most up-to-date information on modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, the impact of mental health, and the interventions and prevention strategies that can reduce the risk or slow the progression of dementia.

What sets it apart 

With core teachings based on knowledge and expertise from dementia care professionals, clinicians and neuroscientists, both courses from the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre are among the most up-to-date on offer. 

The courses are also free, providing invaluable access to university-level topics and resources for all aged care professionals who might otherwise not be able to dedicate the time to a long-term university course.

Dementia Training Australia’s creating supportive environments 

Dementia Training Australia is behind Creating supportive environments for people living with dementia, a unique four-week course looking at one of the burgeoning fields of dementia care – the importance of a dementia-friendly environment for people with dementia.

Key learnings 

There is a growing awareness regarding just how buildings can influence the behaviours of people with dementia. Through Creating supportive environments, participants learn how everyday settings in a residential aged care home can support or hinder movement and actions.

Dementia-friendly design principles are explained in detail, and with a chance to assess how spaces can be improved, participants bring back knowledge that can be used to transform your premise. 

What sets it apart 

Most dementia courses focus on the individual, while this one focuses on the environment and spaces they live in. By exploring versatile dementia care options such as small-scale living, outdoor accessibility and how contrast can guide people, this is a fresh look at dementia care.

Selecting what’s right for your staff

Through professional development courses that cover dementia care, you’re providing opportunities for growth and ensuring your residents or care clients are receiving the best possible care.

When selecting the best courses for your staff, it’s important to look at what skills gaps exist. It’s vital to invest in upskilling your staff and certain professional development courses will address your needs better than others.

Additionally, you may find that some work well in conjunction with each other – you don’t have to be limited by providers. Recognise what has been successfully done in the past, and what you would like to achieve in the future, and then reach out to find course providers who can deliver that success.

Next time, we’re looking at professional development options covering the area of palliative and end of life care. If you or your staff has accessed a specific program in that category you think others could benefit from, let us know at [email protected].