New dementia training supports health and community services educators

The TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support has launched a new professional development program to enhance dementia care knowledge among community services, health and nursing educators, strengthening their capability to deliver industry-informed training.

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is Australia's leading cause of death, with deaths attributed to the condition increasing by 39 per cent over the past decade. More than two-thirds of all dementia-related deaths in Australia occur among people aged over 75, highlighting the need for a skilled workforce equipped to support older Australians with increasingly complex care needs.

The Dementia Capability Development Program, developed by Dementia Australia, provides TAFE Queensland educators with evidence-based training to enhance their understanding of dementia and build the practical skills needed to support high-quality, person-centred care.

Delivered online, the program offers flexibility for busy educators, with self-paced modules taking approximately one hour, that can be completed at a time and place that suits individual learners. The program’s nine modules provide educators with a comprehensive understanding of dementia care across a range of real-world settings and scenarios.

Educators participating in the program will explore the causes, prevalence and impact of dementia, as well as the principles of person-centred care and effective communication strategies that support dignity, connection and wellbeing. The training also addresses complex areas of practice, including understanding and responding to changes in behaviour, supporting people living with younger onset dementia, recognising and managing pain, and promoting good nutrition and independence.

Educators will further examine the role of outdoor environments in supporting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, while developing knowledge of delirium and cognitive impairment in hospital settings. Together, the modules provide practical, evidence-based approaches that can be applied in both professional practice and the classroom, helping educators deliver contemporary, industry-informed learning experiences for future health and community services workers.

Renee Hindmarsh, Executive Director of the TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support, said the program represents an important investment in both educators and the future workforce.

"Supporting our educators to maintain contemporary industry knowledge is essential to developing a skilled, capable and compassionate workforce. These flexible, evidence-based modules provide valuable insights into dementia care while helping educators strengthen their teaching practice and better prepare students for the realities of the health and community services sectors."

The Dementia Capability Development Program is fully funded by the TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support, a joint initiative between the Australian and Queensland Governments.