Carinity Kepnock Grove aged care community staff are undertaking dementia training to better understand the disease and learn how to best communicate with and encourage people affected.
The announcement comes during Dementia Action Week held from September 21 to 27 in 2020.
Almost half a million Australians live with dementia – and that number is projected to more than double within 40 years.
Almost 1.5 million people are involved in the care of Australians with dementia, however dementia training is currently not mandatory for aged care workers.
Nurses and carers who support residents with dementia in the Carinity Kepnock Grove aged care community’s memory assisted area are completing courses from Dementia Australia and the Wicking Dementia Centre, through the University of Tasmania.
Carinity Kepnock Grove Residential Manager Jodie Little said it was important her team members be skilled in understanding the complexities of dementia, including conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
“Dementia is one of the most prevalent conditions to affect older members of the community, so it is important our care staff be skilled in understanding the complexities of dementia,” Jodie said.
“The carers at Carinity Kepnock Grove are keen to expand their knowledge in being able to provide the best care possible for residents living with dementia.
“Our carers strive to learn more not only about the physiology of dementia but develop interventions to prevent adverse behaviours in people living with the condition.
“Knowing how to communicate effectively with people affected by dementia means Carinity can better support seniors in the activities of daily living and in activities that bring enjoyment to their lives.”
Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe told the Royal Commission into Aged Care that 70 per cent of the aged care workforce had not received any training about caring for older residents experiencing dementia.
“Any organisation that takes on the care of a person living with dementia must commit to training their staff to ensure they are delivering quality dementia care in the home,” she said.
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