Better connections, better lives
Build your team's capability to care for the whole person.
We know that increasing the capacity of your staff to engage with the people they care for, in an optimal setting, will lead to better results for everyone.
We'll provide the guidance you need on educational requirements, design directions and service improvements so you can meet standards across the industry...and better serve the people in your care.
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Upskill your teams with specialist workshops
Every day, our practitioner consultants advise carers, family and staff about providing the best dementia care. They bring this expertise to our workshops, along with real-life case studies and strategies your team can begin applying immediately. All workshops can be delivered online or face to face.
We'd love to talk to you about tailored training or education that will expand your team's skills and knowledge where they need it most.
Understanding dementia
In this workshop your teams will learn about the different types of dementia and how if affects individuals. Understand symptoms and behaviours that people may typically experience and learn how to best support individuals in your care who are living with dementia.
Topics include:
- Identifying the symptoms of dementia
- Understanding the experience of living with dementia
- Exploring how to support a person living with dementia
Understanding changed behaviours
This workshop explores changes in behaviour in people living with dementia and how behaviour is a form of communication.
Topics include:
- explaining changes in behaviour
- identifying biological factors that can contribute to changes in behaviour
- distinguishing the role of social and physical factors in behaviour
- describing the influence of environmental factors on behaviour.
Meaningful engagement: creating connection
This workshop explores the value of creating connection through meaningful engagement to support people living with dementia in residential care.
Topics include:
- The benefits of meaningful engagement for people living with dementia
- Using life story to develop connection and purpose
- Using tailored interventions to reduce changes in behaviour
- The importance of creating a supportive environment for engagement
- How to modify engagement to support all levels of ability
Sexuality and intimacy
This workshop explores sexuality and intimacy for a person living with dementia.
Topics include:
- Spotlight on destigmatizing sexuality and intimacy for persons living with dementia.
- Identifying common contributing factors for changes in behaviour with affection, companionship, sexuality and intimacy.
- Supportive communication and approach strategies around sexuality and intimacy.
Communication and approach
In this workshop, your teams will learn how to tailor communication and approach strategies to support people living with dementia.
Topics include:
- identifying barriers to communication
- exploring different communication styles
- developing strategies to support effective communication.
Music speaks
In this workshop, our practitioner consultant explores how music engagement can be effectively applied in a dementia care setting. Your teams will understand how music can enable genuine connections, provide comfort and promote a calming atmosphere.
Topics include:
- recognising music engagement as a valuable way to support personhood
- enabling music engagement via individualised playlists and a mobile device
- examining practical considerations of using music engagement one-to-one
- using music to support a person who is experiencing distress.
The dining experience
In this workshop, your teams will learn about improving quality of life through the dining experience, featuring nutrition, environmental factors and how to engage residents in the experience.
Topics include:
- understanding the effects of nutrition and hydration on older people living with dementia
- meeting key nutritional requirements and goals for older people
- recognising the kitchen as a key element in a domestic environment
- considering environmental factors which support a pleasurable dining experience
- engaging residents in meal preparation and mealtime while minimising risk.
Night-time care
In this workshop, your teams will learn the skills to develop an individualised approach to night-time care and foster a supportive environment for residents and the care team.
Topics include:
- identifying differences between day and night-time care
- describing the experience of staff and residents at night
- considering the special needs of residents at night
- identifying environmental considerations of night-time care
- outlining self-care strategies for staff working at night.
Intervene to manage pain
Presented by one of our experienced consultants, this workshop provides an opportunity for participants to explore pain management strategies in aged care.
Topics include:
- utilising an efficient, proven-in-practice series of five steps to assist staff to reduce and manage the pain of residents/clients
- how to identify and assess pain for people who can no longer communicate for themselves
- how to use validated tools to assess pain
- strategies for lessening the severity of pain, including medication management, re-assessment and monitoring.
About me: interactive life story workshop
During this interactive workshop staff will complete a life story document and be provided ideas on life story work for people living with dementia in residential care.
Topics include:
- Ideas for gathering and presenting life story information for people living with dementia
- The uses of life story in dementia care settings
- Using life story to reduce the risk of changes in behaviour
- Use of life story to inform meaningful engagement
Creating supportive spaces – environmental strategies for dementia care
In this 2-hour workshop, your teams will learn how to create environments that promote a feeling of safety, familiarity, routine, and engagement for persons living with dementia. Explore simple ways to modify the environment to reduce confusion, agitation, and isolation.
Topics include:
- Identify cognitive and sensory changes experienced in dementia
- Explore how dementia can change the experience of the physical and social environment
- Introduction to best practice design principles for people living with dementia, with a spotlight on the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines
- The impact of the environment for people living with dementia experiencing changed behaviour
- Practical strategies on how to create supportive and enabling environments (residential and/or community)
Get in touch
We’ll develop a program to suit your individual needs
Need something bespoke? We can tailor our expertise to your organisation’s requirements, or you can partner with us to expand your team’s capabilities. We'll also keep you informed with regular updates on the latest in dementia knowledge and practice.