Care with understanding
Dementia care essentials: see the person, support the moment.
A practical interactive module for people working with, studying for or supporting people living with dementia.
- 8 lessons
- Scenario-based learning
- Reflection activities
- Australian references
- About 1½ hours
About me: an example
Call me Maya
- Music helps me settle. I love old songs.
- Tea in the morning, in the garden if it is sunny.
- I was a gardener. Show me, and I will join in.
- Tell me who you are, and ask before you help.
Learning outline
Eight short lessons. Work through them in order or start anywhere, and come back to any lesson whenever you like. Nothing is locked.
Lesson 1: What dementia means
The words, the main types at a glance, and why a sudden change always needs a second look.
StartLesson 2: Knowing the person
Life story, routines, culture and preferences: the details that make care feel like theirs.
StartLesson 3: Communication that supports dignity
How to speak, listen and respond so the person feels understood and respected.
StartLesson 4: Behaviour as communication
Looking beneath changed behaviour for what the person may be trying to tell us.
StartLesson 5: Daily living, activity and wellbeing
Supporting independence, meaningful activity and the everyday things that shape a good day.
StartLesson 6: Safety, consent and escalation
Managing risk without taking over, respecting consent and knowing when and how to escalate.
StartLesson 7: Families, culture and trauma-informed care
Culturally safe, trauma-informed care, and working well with families and supporters.
StartLesson 8: Professional reflection and next steps
Turning what you have learned into practice, and into a next step for your career.
Start
Your learning progress
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Final check
Ten questions to revisit the main ideas. It is optional, you can retry as often as you like, and it does not lead to a qualification.
Open the final checkTrusted reference shelf
Go to the source for current information. Guidance, standards and legal requirements change, so always check the current version and your own workplace policy.
- Dementia Australia (opens in a new tab)Dementia AustraliaInformation, support and education for people living with dementia, families and carers.
- About dementia (opens in a new tab)Dementia AustraliaPlain-language explanations of dementia, its types and everyday changes.
- Dementia, and support for people living with dementia and carers (opens in a new tab)Australian Government Department of Health and Aged CareGovernment information about dementia and the supports available.
- Dementia (opens in a new tab)HealthdirectHealth information and service finder from the national health advice service.
- Person-centred care (opens in a new tab)Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health CareWhat person-centred care means and how it improves care.
- Quality Standards (opens in a new tab)Aged Care Quality and Safety CommissionThe quality standards that aged-care providers are expected to meet. Requirements can change, so check the current version.
- Partnering with Consumers Standard (opens in a new tab)Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health CareHow health services involve people in their own care and in service planning.