How collaboration can transform dementia care in your organisation

Quality care can make all the difference to the lives of people with dementia. 

But the aged care sector is facing a skills shortage – a fact that’s widely acknowledged by the Australian government and our leaders in the health, allied health, aged care and retirement industries. 

“With the current shortage of aged care workers, it is crucial that we attract more people to the sector, strengthen the current workforce’s capability and develop meaningful learning pathways,” said Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM.

One solution? Relevant and valuable training. By giving care workers and health professionals the right training to thrive and succeed, we can attract and retain skilled staff – and, importantly, transform and elevate the care we provide. 

A collaborative approach to learning

This insight has led Dementia Australia to develop leadership programs, which are specifically designed for people working within care settings. Covering a wide range of practical and theoretical topics, the courses help participants to implement change, improve team performance, communicate empathetically, develop self-leadership skills and more. 

“Strong leadership was recognised as a critical element of sustained practice improvements by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and in response, also by the Federal Government,” said Ms McCabe.   

One particularly exciting leadership initiative is the Dementia Community of Practice (CoP), a monthly online event for professionals to connect, collaborate and enhance their skills in dementia care.

The end goal? To give participants the knowledge and confidence to drive positive change and foster innovation in their workplaces—and, in turn, transform dementia care in Australia.

In the Community of Practice, passionate individuals from diverse roles – including care workers, nurses, allied health professionals – share insights, experiences and best practices in dementia care and practice change.

It’s an approach that allows participants to build a supportive network of like-minded professionals, while also gaining practical learnings from each other’s successes and challenges. 

Access the latest insights, research and trends

Advancements in dementia research and practices mean that dementia care is constantly changing. But, in a busy work environment, it can be difficult to find time to stay up-to-date.

In the Communities of Practice, however, participants receive the insights and learning they need to stay abreast of developments and evolve their practice.

They’ll be inspired by guest speakers and dementia experts, and learn about the latest developments, evidence-based interventions, and new and emerging trends in dementia care. 

This access to continued learning – beyond that offered by formal education and workshops – has a powerful impact, both for organisations and their employees.

When staff can develop their skills and expertise through sharing practical wisdom, organisations reap the benefits with happy and confident employees, quality care, and improved practices. It’s a win-win.

Be a part of Dementia Australia’s Community of Practice 

When you enrol yourself or your employees in Dementia Australia’s Community of Practice, you become part of a group of passionate professionals that’s striving to transform dementia care. 

The online Community of Practice sessions run for 1.5 hours each month with members exploring a new topic—selected based on the group’s needs. There’s no cost to join the Community of Practice, and participants receive free access to online resources, forums and training through Dementia Australia’s Dementia Learning Hub. 

It’s a small commitment that can lead to big changes. Together, we can make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. 

For more information, visit the Dementia Community of Practice. 

Dementia Training Australia is a major funder of these programs under the Australian Government Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund and delivered by Dementia Australia (RTO CODE 2512). Visit dta.com.au for more information.