Over the last 3 years Ananda’s Workforce Executive has been working with Dementia Training Australia (DTA) to develop a unique Virtual Reality (VR) education tool and workshop to allow carers and nurses an immersive experience which helps them empathise with residents regarding environmental design barriers and the effects of medications.
In June 2019 25 Ananda staff piloted the workshop and an article written by Michael Page and DTA Director Andrew Stafford was published in the Australian Journal of Dementia Care. This is one of four published articles Ananda has achieved since it began to focus on dementia best practice as a key priority for education and workforce development.
The DTA VR Meaningful Spaces workshops were postponed due to the pandemic, and now it is exciting to learn they will now be rolled out nationally in the later part of 2021. See the 9 News exclusive here:
Nine News exclusive!
It is hoped many more Ananda staff will experience the workshops, which teach best practice design as well as the negative effects of psychotropic medications.
Michael Page will also be re-scheduling a 10 week face to face DTA dementia care workhop which will add capacity to our already strong Wellness and Engagement workforce.
Ananda is committed to developing Dementia Friendly Communities at both its homes.
This includes working in partnership with key stakeholders including residents, families, community groups and peak professional bodies to improve the environment, meaningful activity and optimising both medication and non-pharmacological strategies to meet the needs of residents with dementia.
From March 2019 to June 2020 Ananda partnered with Dementia Training Australia to provide a Tailored Training Package for staff. The success of this initiative is seen in four publications in the Australian Journal of Dementia Care (AJDC) which are accessible below. Please take the time to read and understand what Ananda is aiming for in this key area of care.
Any staff member who is in contact with residents with dementia is required to have the skills, knowledge and attitude to commuicate with and meet the needs of residents living with dementia. Ananda has provided enormous opportunities for staff to develop these skills to the level of their role and we will be assessing staff to this level from now onwards.
Further face to face and online training will be made available, in the meantime the Resident Focused Care Model and Ananda Resident Focused Dementia Care course are available on Ananda Academy. These provide the minimum level required by staff.
We continue to seek dementia care champions to drive forward our ability to meet the needs of our residents and families.
We are keen to work with residents or representatives to improve individualised meaningful activity for all residents and we welcome your feedback and suggestions.
The 4 AJDC articles can be viewed below:
