Working in aged care
Supporting the aged care workforce in caring for people with dementia
This page covers the programs, training and resources funded through the Department of Health and Ageing that are made available to support the aged care workforce in working with people with dementia.
The page provides information on:
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services - part of the Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants Fund
- Dementia Care Essentials - Dementia Skills for Aged Care Workers Program - part of the Aged Care Workforce Fund
- Dementia Training Study Centres — part of the Aged Care Workforce Fund
Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services
The Australian Government funds the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) that operates in each state and territory. Top of pageThis service offers people with dementia and their carers support in managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, such as wandering and aggression. DBMAS provides clinical assessment, short-term case management, crisis management and referrals to other relevant services.
The service is responsive to individual and diverse needs and circumstances, and can be accessed by staff of government subsidised aged care services, other clinicians, volunteers and family carers.
For clinical support, information and advice contact 1800 699 799 (24 hours a day)
Dementia Care Essentials — Aged Care Workforce Fund
Under Dementia Care Essentials training is available for eligible aged care workers in residential, respite or community care settings or the wider health sector in the accredited dementia specific competencies. The program continues until April 2012.As a Commonwealth funded initiative, Dementia Care Essentials is free to eligible care workers. Dementia Care Essentials training is delivered through designated Registered Training Organisations contracted to the Department of Health and Ageing.
Dementia Training Study Centres — Aged Care Workforce Fund
The Dementia Training Study Centres each work with partner stakeholders and external stakeholders to develop and promote dementia studies in Australian graduate and undergraduate health curriculum and provide career pathways in tertiary dementia studies.The centres aim to provide training and skill development for workers involved in care and support for people with dementia. Top of page
There are five Dementia Training Study Centres nationally, developing training programs for health professionals:
- Western Australia Dementia Training Study Centre (consortium led by Curtin University of Technology)
- Victoria and Tasmania Dementia Training Study Centre (consortium led by LaTrobe University - Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Aged Care)
- South Australia and Northern Territory Dementia Training Study Centre (consortium led by Alzheimer’s Australia – South Australia)
- The New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland Dementia Training Study Centre (consortium led by Wollongong University)
- Queensland Dementia Training Study Centre
Related Links
- Dementia Resource Guide, developed by the National Ageing Research Institute for Department of Health and Ageing. The Guide is to help people care for those who have dementia, and supports a holistic approach that considers the social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the person with dementia and those around them.
- Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed dementia audio tape resources for carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Copies of these audiotapes are available from the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 85 or through http://amf.net.au/entry/dementia-audiotapes
- Alzheimer’s Australia education and training courses — Education and training courses are available in each state or territory top provide skills and support through both nationally recognised and other courses and workshops offered for service providers and care workers.
