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For all who work with people with dementia Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020
Workforce training & education
44-page special issue
Also inside n Dementia care during COVID-19 n Speech pathology and reablement
n Resources to support staff wellbeing n Excellence in palliative care
this issue:
COMMENT
Australian Journal of Dementia Care
Editorial Team
Co-Editors: Professor Belinda
Goodenough; Associate Professor
Lyn Phillipson; Dr Louisa Smith
Managing Editor: Kerry Schelks
Thinking big
By Professor Belinda Goodenough,
Contributing Editor: Catherine Ross
Production Editor: Andrew Chapman
Australian Journal of Dementia Care Co-Editor and
Editorial Advisors
Executive Director, Dementia Training Australia
Dr Marita Chisholm, Innovation and
Projects Manager Older Persons
A
ustralians have a long-standing affection for building big structures and
Health, Rural Northwest Health sculptures. The start of this phenomenon is credited to the Big Banana in Coffs
Mr Dennis Frost, person living with Harbour NSW, which began life in 1964 as an advertisement for a banana stall.
dementia and dementia advocate; There are now at least 150 larger-than-life cultural icons dotting the nation, and even a
Chair of the Southern Dementia Wikipedia entry listing Australia’s Big Things (Wikipedia 2020). It is possible to use
Advisory Group
Google Maps to plot a Big Things road trip, and share stories with fellow travellers via a
Ms Lynda Henderson, carer for a
dedicated Facebook page.
person living with dementia; member of
Overall, 2020 has been a year for contemplating the big issues (both good and bad) in
the Southern Dementia Advisory Group
dementia care, and associated workforce training. For aged care, recent research has
Dr Claire O’Connor, Research Fellow,
suggested that Australia needs a minimum 37% increase in staff hours to improve care
HammondCare; Conjoint Lecturer,
quality (Eagar et al 2019). As a flow-on effect, any increase in the size of the aged care
School of Population Health, UNSW
workforce (for whom dementia is arguably core business), will necessarily require
Associate Professor Lezanne Ooi,
relevant increases in national capacity to train and educate those staff.
Principal Research Fellow, University of
The focus in this issue of AJDC on workforce training and education is therefore
Wollongong and the Illawarra Health
timely. Supporting quality dementia care will require a huge collaborative effort
and Medical Research Institute
involving many players, including Dementia Training Australia (DTA). Some of DTA’s
Dr Chris While, Training Consultant,
major training initiatives are profiled in this issue, along with others from Dementia
Dementia Training Australia; Research
Support Australia and Dementia Australia.
Fellow, La Trobe University and the
Each of these organisations has certainly stepped up in a big way during 2020 to
Australian Centre for Evidence Based
ensure the workforce continues to have access to quality education initiatives, using
Aged Care
virtual and remote delivery. At first, these approaches were devised as interim solutions
Publisher: The Australian Journal of to the COVID-19 restrictions, but the big prediction is that these changes to training
Dementia Care is published by the delivery may endure beyond the pandemic, as people have become more comfortable
University of Wollongong and managed with remote learning. Indeed the name ‘Zoom’ has now become a household word.
by Dementia Training Australia, including Of course, this special 44-page issue of AJDC is also the first for the new editorial team
website and administrative support since the big news of the transfer of the journal to a new home at the University of
from: Owen Wilkinson, Emma Paul, Wollongong, and managed by DTA. To celebrate the next AJDC chapter, the new team
Janice Hurley, and Vanessa Bussoletti is exploring exciting ideas for the journal to augment its potential to support workforce
capacity-building in dementia knowledge and understanding, based on feedback from
Printed by iPS, Sydney.
our 2018 readership survey (see article pp4-5).
© 2020 University of Wollongong
The AJDC team looks forward to helping the journal take its place in the big picture –
ISSN 2049-6893
and showcasing, among other things, the efforts of the aged care sector to embrace
Editorial and advertising inquiries creative and evidence-based approaches to workforce training to improve the lives of
Kerry Schelks people living with dementia.
admin@journalofdementiacare.com Optimism that Australia’s aged and dementia care workforce can continue to rise to
Address Building 232 (Mike Codd), the task is shown in the amazing efforts of staff on the frontline during the pandemic.
Room 113, Innovation Campus, They have continued to provide care and support whilst also protecting our most
University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, vulnerable citizens, especially in Victoria; to our workforce – the rest of Australia says
Australia the biggest thank you. ■
Website
www.journalofdementiacare.com References
Subscriptions $99 (four issues) Eagar K, Westera A, Snoek M, Kobel C, Loggie C, Gordon R (2019) How Australian Residential Aged
(see page 29 for details). Care Staffing Levels Compare With International And National Benchmarks. University of Wollongong:
Centre for Health Service Development, Australian Health Services Research Institute. Available at:
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the
Australian Journal of Dementia Care are those of http://bit.ly/RC-research-paper-1.
the authors and are not necessarily those of the Wikipedia (2020) Australia’s Big Things. Available at: https://bit.ly/2REDXjy.
publisher. Furthermore the publisher and authors do
not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any
party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused AJDC DEADLINES 2021: Jan/Feb/Mar issue: 06/11/20 (article submissions); 11/01/21 (publication);
by errors or omissions, whether such errors or April/May/June: 22/01/21 (submissions); 12/04/21 (publication); July/Aug/Sept: 23/04/21 (submissions);
omissions result from negligence, accident, or 12/07/21 (publication); Oct/Nov/Dec: 23/07/21 (submissions); 11/10/21 (publication)
any other cause. Details: https://journalofdementiacare.com/submissions/
Writing for AJDC: Do you have a project or survey to report, or a change in practice organisation or The Australian Journal of Dementia Care is a multidisciplinary journal for all professional staff working
structure which has worked well (or not), and would you like to share this experience with others? We with people with dementia, in hospitals, nursing and aged care homes, day units and the community. The
welcome contributions of this kind, as well as bright ideas for improving the environment or well-being journal is committed to improving the quality of care provided for people with dementia, by keeping
of people with dementia, and letters to the editor responding to articles in AJDC. Email the Editorial readers abreast of news and views, research, developments, practice and training issues. The Australian
Team at admin@journalofdementiacare.com Journal of Dementia Care is grounded firmly in practice and provides a lively forum for ideas and opinions.
2 Australian Journal of Dementia Care October/November/December 2020 Vol 9 No 4
Inside
For all who work with people with dementia Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020 this issue...
This special 44-page issue of AJDC focuses on training and education for the dementia
care workforce, highlighting quality initiatives from Dementia Training Australia (DTA),
13
Dementia Support Australia and Dementia Australia. It also features five pages on
dementia care during COVID-19, including resources to support the wellbeing of care staff
as they navigate these challenging times.
AJDC: the next chapter 4
Co-Editors Belinda Goodenough, Lyn Phillipson and Louisa Smith introduce the next chapter for AJDC
■ Dementia care during COVID-19
Coordinated action needed to save lives 13
More must be done to safeguard and support people living with dementia through the pandemic and 24
beyond, writes Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe
Resources to support workforce wellbeing 15
There is widespread recognition that the global pandemic has placed great pressure on the dementia
care workforce. Here is a selection of resources to guide and support staff
■ Dementia training and education
Medication management: care teams take action 16
Melissa Morley and Bronwen Wright report on work to support two residential aged care facilities
through a quality improvement process to tackle the issue of antipsychotic medication
The Ananda angle 18 30
Kavita Saini, Clinical Nurse at Ananda Aged Care, Findon, reflects on the benefits of the DTA
Medication Management Consultancy
Supporting the frontline workforce during COVID-19 20
Ellie Newman describes a successful partnership between DTA and NurseWest, developed in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic, to equip newly qualified nurses with dementia and delirium training
New tool to improve acute care environments 21
All sorts of environments can be improved to better support people living with dementia – including
hospitals. Ash Osborne and Kirsty Bennett introduce a new DTA resource
Creating supportive environments 24
Nick Seemann introduces a new DTA online course which aims to inspire learners to rethink the Regulars
possibilities of physical environments, with a primary focus on care homes
Learning at all levels 25 ■ Comment
Roy Letton, Mikayla Mennilli, Sarah Reardon and Laurence Karacsony report on an innovative joint by Professor Belinda Goodenough 2
project in which they worked with Dementia Training Australia to develop an online course on nutrition
Building capacity for quality dementia care 28 ■ News 6
Blue Care’s Nerida Pankhurst shares what she has learnt from a six-month dementia care training
program, developed by HammondCare and Dementia Support Australia ■ Research News 40
■ Features ■ Resources 42
The Nightingale Program: excellence in palliative care 30
Jayne Littledike and Alison Davis describe a palliative model of care, provided by specialist nurses, that
offers strategies and advice to support people living with dementia, their families and care providers
Speech pathology and reablement 33 Cover image: this issue of AJDC puts
Speech pathologists can play a central role in the treatment of communication difficulties experienced Australia’s aged and dementia care
by people with dementia and supporting existing skills across the course of the disease. Erin Conway workforce firmly in the picture, focusing
explains
on evidence-based approaches to
■ Research Focus workforce training and education to
improve the lives of people living with
Fostering community conversations around dementia 37 dementia. See articles pp16-29.
Susanne Becker, Helen Courtney-Pratt, and Pauline Marsh report on a pilot project exploring how Photo: iStock
informal community cafés might reduce stigma and normalise discussion about dementia
Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020 Australian Journal of Dementia Care 3
AJDC : the next chapter
Co-Editors Belinda Goodenough, Lyn Phillipson and Louisa Smith introduce the
next chapter for the Australian Journal of Dementia Care
n 2018, the Australian Journal
I of Dementia Care (AJDC)
conducted its first readership
survey since the journal’s
launch in 2012. In total, 159
readers responded, sharing
insights on everything from
how they used the journal
through to a wishlist of
suggestions for future content
and format.
We are pleased to advise that
the future has arrived.
Building on the solid
foundation laid for the journal
by the outgoing editorial board
and senior staff (see previous
issue of the AJDC), the journal’s
new owner and publisher, the
University of Wollongong,
along with the incoming team Figure 1: Rating of future AJDC content ideas (scale: Excellent, Good, Poor, No opinion)
(see box next page) are Source: 2018 AJDC readership survey (https://bit.ly/ajdc-reader-survey)
exploring a range of new AJDC
features – inspired by the 2018
readership survey (available at
https://bit.ly/
ajdc-reader-survey).
Training and explaining
The survey confirmed that the
AJDC is considered to be a go-to
resource for educating and
training the workforce about
dementia. More than 80% of
survey respondents endorsed
ideas (as Excellent or Good) for
more AJDC content that was
useful for continuous
professional development
(CPD) and for training in-house
educators (see Figure 1, this
page). There were similarly
high levels of enthusiasm for Figure 2. How many other people read your copy of AJDC?
more AJDC content on debates Source: 2018 AJDC readership survey (https://bit.ly/ajdc-reader-survey)
and controversies, as well as
topical explainers (including acknowledged with a certificate some of the debates that benefit asked respondents to estimate
leading change). from DTA, which can be added from multiple points of view. how many other people would
In response to this feedback, to an evidence portfolio for We also want to be more typically read through their
AJDC is developing a new CPD (see the article on p16 in inclusive of the lived experience copy of the AJDC. The results
series of micro-courses in this issue for more information of dementia, in content indicated that AJDC issues are
partnership with Dementia about CPD). planning, reviewing and well travelled. Almost half of
Training Australia (DTA). The writing. For the first time in the the readers indicated that their
short online courses will focus Access to quality content journal’s history, we are pleased copy of the journal was read by
on selected AJDC articles and The AJDC will also welcome that the editorial team now at least one other person –
feature quiz questions to check and commission more content includes representation for sometimes more than 20 (see
understanding. Successful that explains key topics in people living with dementia. Figure 2, above). In addition,
completion will be dementia, with attention to The 2018 readership survey when asked about where the
4 Australian Journal of Dementia Care October/November/December 2020 Vol 9 No 4
Introducing the AJDC team
The Australian Journal of Dementia Care (AJDC) has a new editorial team, based at the University of
Wollongong, via the offices of Dementia Training Australia. You can read more about the backgrounds
of the people in the new team on the AJDC website (www.journalofdementiacare.com/about-ajdc) –
and notice the commitment to supporting early career researchers. We are keen to help the next
generation of dementia researchers build their skills in bringing the best available evidence into contact
with the experience of people living with dementia and those who provide support and care. We
asked some of the editorial team to nominate an aspect of AJDC they would like to see develop, and
present their responses below:
Dr Marita Chisholm, Innovation and Dementia care in rural and regional Australia across a range
Projects Manager, Older Persons of care settings (with an interest in the Aged Care Quality
Health, Rural Northwest Health Standards).
Mr Dennis Frost, person living with Interested in research news, with the experience of the
dementia and dementia advocate; project participant, and promoting the active involvement of
Chair of the Southern Dementia people living with dementia in all aspects of research, from
Advisory Group concept to implementation, including the co-design and
development of assistive technologies.
Professor Belinda Goodenough, More of the ‘big picture’ lens, to help practitioners and
Co-Editor AJDC; Executive Director service managers understand the vision in national policy
Dementia Training Australia developments.
Ms Lynda Henderson, carer for a Co-designing research and practice innovations with people
person living with dementia; member living with dementia, including the use of accessible assistive
Southern Dementia Advisory Group technology.
Dr Claire O’Connor, Research Translating research and evidence-based developments in
Fellow, HammondCare; Conjoint dementia practice for people with lived experience of
Lecturer, School of Population Health, dementia.
UNSW
Associate Professor Lezanne Ooi, Involving people living with dementia, carers and consumers
■ Along with their roles as AJDC
Principal Research Fellow, University of in research design and research finding discussions.
Co-Editors, Professor Belinda
Goodenough (top) is Executive Wollongong and the Illawarra Health
Director of Dementia Training and Medical Research Institute
Australia, University of Wollongong Associate Professor Lyn Phillipson, Increasing the focus on life and care for people with
(UOW); Associate Professor Lyn
Co-Editor, AJDC; Principal Research dementia in community settings.
Phillipson (middle) is Principal
Fellow, University of Wollongong
Research Fellow in the Faculty of
Social Sciences, UOW; and Dr Ms Catherine Ross, Contributing Growing a sense of community among AJDC readership
Louisa Smith (above) is a Research Editor, AJDC through greater online engagement.
Fellow in the Faculty of Social
Sciences, UOW Ms Kerry Schelks, Managing Editor, Increasing the range and depth of topics and opinions
AJDC featured in the AJDC – making it even more relevant and
AJDC was stored, 58% indicated
useful to all those with an interest in dementia.
that they put their copy of the
journal in a public place for Dr Louisa Smith, Co-Editor, AJDC; Supporting the inclusion of the voices of people with
others to use. Only 3% threw it Research Fellow, University of dementia and including these voices in debates about
away! Wollongong, AHSRI, BAL dementia care.
After doing the arithmetic,
we conservatively estimated Dr Chris While, Training Consultant, Supporting dementia care leaders to mobilise new
that each printed copy of the Dementia Training Australia; Research knowledge and create a learning environment that supports
AJDC was reaching at least four Fellow, La Trobe University and the innovation.
people (the recipient plus 3.6 Australian Centre for Evidence Based
others). This pass-it-on reach Aged Care
was also complemented by high
levels of feedback encouraging
the AJDC to grow its online Given that 93% of website, as well as develop the next AJDC chapter. Do you have
presence. In fact, a third of respondents also indicated that article submission portal to an idea for an article? If so, we
respondents were keen to see they were likely to use an online support a catalogue of more would love to hear from you:
the journal go fully online, article archive, the AJDC is peer-reviewed content please get in touch with the
which matched the preferences planning to develop its digital submissions, to be accessible team via the Submissions page
of another third who wanted to offerings. We are now exploring online. on the AJDC website, at
access the AJDC in print format ways to provide easier access to The new editorial team is https://journalofdementiacare.
only. individual articles via the AJDC looking forward to writing the com/submissions/. ■
Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020 Australian Journal of Dementia Care 5
NEWS
News in brief Dementia Action Week
A new survey conducted by consultation with people
Korongee Village opening Dementia Australia has living with dementia, many of
revealed that people living whom shared their story as
with dementia continue to feel part of the week’s events.
isolated and excluded – with Dementia Australia says the
as many as three out of four findings reveal just how big an
people with dementia issue discrimination is and the
surveyed saying that people impacts it has for people living
don’t keep in touch like they with dementia, their families
used to, and 65% saying and carers.
people they know have Dementia Australia CEO
avoided or excluded them. Maree McCabe said while the
The survey findings were survey findings are distressing
released at the start of for people living with
Glenview CEO Lucy O’Flaherty (right) with the Governor of Dementia Action Week – dementia, it would not take
Tasmania, Kate Warner, at the Korongee Village launch
which ran from 21-27 much to turn those findings
September. The week’s theme around.
– “Dementia. A little support “A little bit of support can
Korongee Village, a purpose-built development for people living with
makes a lot of difference’’ – make a really big difference to
dementia, officially opened in Glenorchy, Tasmania on 14 July 2020.
and the campaign associated someone with dementia,” she
Korongee is a partnership between not-for-profit aged care provider
Glenview Community Services, health sector superannuation fund HESTA with it were developed in said.
and Social Ventures Australia (SVA). SVA manages HESTA’s Social Impact
Investment Trust which contributed $19 million to the development. The
village, in Hobart’s northern suburbs, features 12 houses in four cul-de- Lancet Commission revisits risk factors
sacs, a community centre, gardens, hair salon, general store, café and
wellness centre, and has been informed by extensive research on best ‘Be ambitious about factors account for around 40%
practice models of dementia care. Glenview CEO Lucy O’Flaherty said prevention’ is a key message of worldwide dementias,
Korongee was a “game-changer in addressing the big social challenges of from The Lancet Commission’s which theoretically could be
dementia”.
2020 report, Dementia prevented or delayed, and that
Aged Care Employee Day Prevention, Intervention And the potential for prevention
Care – in which it revisits its might even be higher in low-
#ThanksforCaring was the theme for this year’s Aged Care Employee Day
on 7 August, which held particular significance because of the current 2017 report findings on this and middle-income countries
circumstances facing aged care workers. The annual day was initiated by topic, and adds a further three where more dementias occur.
aged care provider Whiddon in 2018 and is now led by Leading Age modifiable risk factors for It refers to its model as a “life-
Services Australia (LASA). “Aged care employees are on the frontline every dementia: excessive alcohol course model” of dementia
day working to provide care for Australians, including those living with consumption, traumatic brain prevention and urges action on
dementia,” Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said. “On Aged Care injury and air pollution. the part of both individuals
Employee Day, and every day, we acknowledge aged care staff for their The 2020 publication reports and policy makers to realise
professionalism, compassion, empathy, dignity and the care they provide,” on the growing body of the significance of these
she said.
evidence for the nine findings.
Postgraduate scholarships potentially modifiable risk The report recommends
factors for dementia first put some specific actions for risk
The Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration (DCRC) and the National
Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are inviting applicants to
forward by the Commission in factors across the life course,
apply for the 2021 DCRC Postgraduate Research Scholarships for 2017: less education, such as aiming to maintain
Dementia Research. Three PhD scholarships are on offer at $30,000 per hypertension, hearing systolic blood pressure of
annum for up to three years starting in 2021. DCRC says that candidates impairment, smoking, obesity, 130mm Hg or less in midlife
undertaking research into dementia care and prevention will be prioritised depression, physical inactivity, from around age 40 years and
for funding. Applications close on 2 December 2020. For more information diabetes, and low social encouraging use of hearing
and full details regarding eligibility, go to https://bit.ly/329dGjz or email contact. It says new reviews aids for hearing loss. It goes
DCRCgrants@unsw.edu.au. and meta-analyses conducted further to make
by the international team recommendations aimed at
DEMON Network launch
behind the Commission have supporting people who are
An international network for applying data science and artificial intelligence
only confirmed the evidence already living with dementia:
(AI) to dementia research has launched – known as the Deep Dementia
for these nine factors. provide holistic post-diagnostic
Phenotyping (DEMON) Network. The new network brings together
academics, clinicians and other partners and now has over 500 members It also says “newer, care, manage neuropsychiatric
from across the world. It is led by DEMON’s Director Professor David convincing” evidence now symptoms, and care for family
Llewellyn at the University of Exeter with support from Alzheimer’s exists to support the conclusion carers.
Research UK, the Alan Turing Institute, Dementias Platform UK and that excessive alcohol The report was launched at
Dementia Research Institute (DRI). The network intends to offer a range of consumption, traumatic brain the Alzheimer’s Association
training, networking opportunities, seminars and workshops, as well as injury and air pollution should International Conference in
coordinated engagement with industry. To find out more about the be added to this list. July 2020. It is available to read
network, go to http://demondementia.com/. The Commission says that in full in The Lancet at
together the 12 modifiable risk https://bit.ly/3hd2CGm.
6 Australian Journal of Dementia Care October/November/December 2020 Vol 9 No 4
NEWS
Stevie the Robot takes centre stage ADI report launch
Drastically improved
A robot who featured on the dementia design in the built
front cover of Time magazine environment is needed across
has taken centre stage at the the world, according to
HammondCare International Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia Conference, held on International (ADI), which is
21-22 September 2020, calling on governments and
introducing a session on the multilateral bodies to overtly
role of technology and recognise dementia as a
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in disability.
dementia and aged care. The call comes with the
Stevie (pictured), who stands launch of ADI’s latest World
about 1.4m tall, weighs about Alzheimer Report, titled Design,
60kg and has two stubby arms, Dignity, Dementia; Dementia-
made a guest appearance at the Related Design And The Built
conference via video link from Environment, on Monday 21
his Trinity College Dublin September – World
Department of Mechanical and Alzheimer’s Day.
Manufacturing Engineering According to progress in the robotics project According to ADI, “most
workshop, where work HammondCare, plans are during the session at the countries are woefully
continues on his sensors and underway for Stevie to be HammondCare conference. behind” in terms of making
software. involved in a research trial in Associate Professor McGinn the built environment
HammondCare describes an aged care home in Australia told the conference that Stevie accessible for those living with
Stevie as “the world’s most next year following on from can potentially carry out dementia.
advanced social robot”. They other pilots in Ireland, the US everyday tasks in aged care, “We need to apply design
say he has been designed to and most recently in a UK such as make video calls to guidelines and principles for
live and work in retirement dementia care facility in loved ones and control lights, people living with dementia in
communities, augmenting Cornwall. but his real value is emerging the same way as design
rather than replacing the role Assistant Professor Connor in how he can provide social guidelines are provided for
of carers, freeing them up to McGinn, who is leading the interaction – or fun. people living with a physical
focus more on person-centric research group that created Watch a short video of disability,” says ADI’s Chief
tasks and so improving care Stevie at Trinity College Stevie here: https://vimeo. Executive, Paola Barbarino.
outcomes for residents. Dublin, discussed the latest com/455776099/051d291881. Co-author
of the report,
Professor
CALL-OUTS FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS Richard
Fleming
The AJDC website now includes a section which lists Australian dementia and aged care research studies currently (pictured),
recruiting for participants to take part or complete surveys. AJDC provides these listings as a free service for says that
Australian researchers wishing to invite people to participate in their research, and members of the public who are dementia
interested in participating or being involved. Here are two studies which are currently recruiting for participants. For
design is
more information, go to AJDC’s home page (https://journalofdementiacare.com/) and click on ‘Research: get
needed urgently, and our
involved’.
knowledge of how to do it has
Transport technology and dementia grown over the years.
People living with dementia and their care partners are being invited to contribute to a new two-year study which “The rising number of
will explore how new transport technologies – such as app-based ride-sharing services and driverless buses – could people living with dementia
help people living with dementia improve their quality of life and levels of independence. The cross-disciplinary study requires that their needs are
will gather information about current and future transport technologies, identify possible issues from the perspective considered at the beginning of
of people living with dementia and their carers, as well as other stakeholders, and will also develop key every building project that is
considerations for future transport technology development and research. The study is being supported by the likely to be used by elderly
Dementia Australia Research Foundation and the Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration. To find out more people. Dementia design
about the contactless research activities involved in the initial stages of the study, contact Dr Jacki Liddle on
should never be an
j.liddle@uq.edu.au.
afterthought,” he said.
Aged Care Data Compare project Recognising dementia as a
Researchers at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Health Services Research (CHSR) are seeking aged care
disability is one of several
providers, software vendors, geriatricians, health services researchers and developers to be involved in Aged Care recommendations from the
Data Compare, a new project launched in July. The aim of the two-year project is to find out how assessment data World Alzheimer Report 2020,
routinely collected in residential aged care can be put to better use – to improve care, for greater efficiency and alongside the recommend-
transparency, and to make it easier for organisations to report to government. The project is funded by the Digital ation to incorporate dementia-
Health Cooperate Research Centre, the Bupa Health Foundation and the Australian Department of Health. The related design into national
project team, led by CHSR Director Professor Len Gray, aims to resolve technical challenges around the dementia plans.
standardisation and sharing of valuable data, and ultimately to construct a prototype ‘data hub’ to support a quality For more information on
benchmarking platform. The researchers are intending to set up clinical and technical working groups. To find out this report, go to the Resources
more and to register interest in the project, go to https://chsr.centre.uq.edu.au/aged-care-data-compare.
section in this issue, on p43.
Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020 Australian Journal of Dementia Care 7
NEWS
News in brief Alliance’s shared principles
Dementia Australia is one of a • Full transparency and easy-
new alliance of aged care to-understand indicators to
Poor progress on dementia plans consumer and carer groups help inform consumer choice.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) is concerned that globally only which have come together to • A trained, registered and
31 national dementia plans exist and that progress to develop plans is
share their vision for aged care qualified workforce.
“far too slow”. The comments come on the back of a new ADI report,
– through the promotion of 10 • Proper recognition and
From Plan To Impact III: Maintaining Dementia As A Priority In
Unprecedented Times, which provides an overview of the current shared principles, announced support for the role of unpaid
national responses to dementia around the world – with particular on 23 September. family/friend carers.
reference to the challenges and opportunities provided by the COVID- The alliance includes Carers • Easy-to-understand
19 pandemic and how these relate to the care of people with dementia. Australia, COTA Australia, the information and local
The report takes as its starting point the World Health Organization’s Federation of Ethnic solutions.
‘Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017- Communities Council of • A strongly resourced
25’, which includes the target that by 2025, 146 of the 194 Member Australia, National Seniors regulator that takes robust
States will have a national plan. The report includes a substantial Australia and the Older action to ensure consumer
number of case studies across all the action areas as well as
Persons Advocacy Network. protections.
contributions from key individuals. ADI is calling on all governments to
The alliance says the 10 • Services that are inclusive,
dedicate a minimum of 1% of the societal cost of dementia to research.
shared principles will help all culturally safe and sensitive.
UOW features in UK summer school older Australians get the • A funding model that
A team of researchers from the University of Wollongong (UOW), led by support they choose, when and ensures sufficient taxpayer
Associate Professor Lyn Phillipson, participated in a summer school where they need it and be funding, control by
being run by TEDI-London, a new design-led engineering school. treated with dignity and consumers over their
Associate Professor Phillipson is lead investigator of the UOW’s respect, by an aged care funding, independent pricing
‘Connections for Life with Dementia’ research program. The workforce that is trained and and transparency in how
researchers shared their knowledge via webinars and online equipped to provide the funds are spent.
masterclasses with almost 150 students from across the world who standard of care older • Better integration of other
were taking part in the program in the UK. As part of the process, Australians and their families health and wellbeing services
students collaborated with people with dementia and their carers to
expect and deserve. with aged care.
create products and services that work for them. The Dean and CEO of
TEDI-London, Professor Judy Raper, said, “We invited the UOW
The 10 principles are being
‘Connections for Life with Dementia’ team to be part of the summer summarised as: The full statement is
session due to its unique program of research supporting the creation • A better Aged Care Act. available to view on Dementia
of dementia-friendly communities.” • A simple system where care Australia’s website at
is guaranteed within 30 days. https://bit.ly/3iXRnmJ.
Cycling Without Age
HammondCare Strathearn, an Stephen said: “It’s so
aged care residential home in motivating for the residents to
Scone in regional NSW, has be able to get out for a ride
taken ownership of two around town. They love it.
trishaw bikes – offering They are lining up to have a
residents the chance to get out go.”
and about in the fresh air, The purchase of the trishaws
with the assistance of was made possible through a
volunteer cyclists who ‘pilot’ donation to the HammondCare
the bikes. Foundation courtesy of the
The trishaws, known as local Paradice Foundation.
Triobike Taxis, are promoted Strathearn Residential Care
by Cycling Without Age Manager Sarah Pearce said
(CWA), the global, not-for- HammondCare was delighted
profit organisation founded in to be able to make the trishaw
Denmark in 2012 that seeks to trips available for residents.
support older people to get “We appreciate the donation
out on bicycles. that made this possible and
CWA has now spread to 42 the local volunteers who are
countries all over the world, willing to give their time to
including Australia. take our residents for a ride,”
Scone Chamber of Sarah said.
Commerce President Stephen To find out more about
Guihot and local doctor Cycling Without Age, go to
Richard Abbott now volunteer https://cyclingwithoutage. Trishaw pilot Dr Richard Abbott with HammondCare Strathearn
to pilot the trishaws regularly. org.au/. residents Daphne and Martin Eveleigh
8 Australian Journal of Dementia Care October/November/December 2020 Vol 9 No 4
NEWS
Dementia Australia launches Action Plan
Leadership and culture change key decision makers within the embed quality dementia care improvement that embeds
that supports dementia, aged care sector, including consistently across the aged quality dementia care.
building workforce capacity, representatives from care system.
and a commitment to government, regulators, “Participants agreed that The Action Plan sets out
continuous improvement, are workforce and industry,” Ms making dementia core specific actions that will be taken
the three fundamental McCabe said. business in the aged care sector by all stakeholders – Dementia
components of a new Action The Action Plan is the next requires a leadership choice, Australia, aged care providers,
Plan released in August by step in making the 2019 backed by organisational industry, the Government, and
Dementia Australia, as part of communique, ‘Our Solution: capability,” she said. regulators – to deliver on these
its Quality Care Initiative. Quality care for people living The three key components of three elements.
Dementia Australia CEO with dementia’, translate into the Action Plan are: The Action Plan was released
Maree McCabe says the Action practical actions. Dementia • leadership and culture as part of the online Dementia
Plan represents a consensus Australia followed up the change that consistently Australia National Symposium
view of thought leaders across publication of the supports dementia Series 2020, which included
the aged care sector. communique by leading • building workforce capacity presentations from a range of
“The Action Plan was stakeholder roundtable to understand and support local and international speakers,
developed by Dementia discussions in November 2019, people with dementia such as Professor John Pollaers
Australia in consultation with which focused on how to • a commitment to continuous and Professor Dawn Brooker.
Australian trio join DSDC: The University of Baird addresses International
Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre Dementia Conference as CEO
(DSDC) in the UK has appointed Australia's Kirsty
Bennett (pictured centre), Debbie De Fiddes (far left)
and Terri Preece (far right) as Design Associates
within its DSDC Design Team – a multi-disciplinary
team of architects, engineers and designers
specialising in dementia design.
The appointment of the trio, through the Evoke
Collective Australasia, follows a successful number
of years of DSDC working in Australia. As DSDC
Design Associates, the Australian team will offer
clients a full audit service which leads to the DSDC’s independent Dementia Design Audit Certificate.
Ms Bennett is an architect and author specialising in designing for people living with dementia and co-author of the HammondCare’s new CEO,
World Alzheimer’s Report 2020 on the built environment. Ms Preece is experienced in aged care sector management, Mike Baird (pictured), has
operational design and policy. Ms De Fiddes is an interior designer with a focus on environments for older people and given his first public address
people living with dementia.
since becoming CEO. He was
For more information, email Ms Preece at info@evokecollectiveaustralasia.com or visit https://bit.ly/36kywif.
speaking at HammondCare’s
International Dementia
Conference, held online on 21-
AUSTRALIAN DEMENTIA NETWORK NEWS 22 September, and involving
up to 6000 online participants.
Dementia Clinical Quality Registry For more information, visit the ADNeT website
In his speech, Mr Baird
(www.australiandementianetwork.org.au/) or contact
The Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) has the ADNeT Registry Program Manager on email reflected on his personal
announced that the roll-out of the ADNeT Dementia ADNeT.Registry@monash.edu. experience of supporting his
Clinical Quality Registry is gathering momentum, mother.
despite delays related to the pandemic. Memory clinics list “I have a mum with
ADNeT is currently developing the first national list of multisystem dystrophy, and it
Five sites have now joined the network, after completing
training: the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, memory clinics, with a view to offering a postcode has been a very difficult few
Procognition on the NSW Central Coast, The Prince of search tool that will help primary care clinicians and years. And it was through my
Wales Hospital in Sydney, the SpARC Memory Clinic in people with cognitive impairment, as well as their family mum that I engaged with the
SA, and Murrumbidgee Local Health District Aged Care carers, to locate specialised assessment services in aged care sector,” he said.
Service. their area. Clinicians who offer a specialised assessment “This is an incredibly
service for the assessment of cognitive decline and
important time for the aged
ADNeT says the purpose of the registry is to become an dementia (memory clinic or other private or public
specialised service) and who would like to be listed
care sector, not just here
effective tool for quality improvement in the diagnosis
should contact ADNeT via adnet.mc@unsw.edu.au. [Australia], but across the
and care of dementia in Australia by identifying variations
world,” Mr Baird said.
in clinical practice, benchmarking service providers and
monitoring the effectiveness of treatments and care. Peer support program HammondCare launched a
ADNeT is also setting up a peer support program (for range of new resources at the
ADNeT expects to have 15 pilot sites providing data by example offering webinars on specific topics to International Dementia
the end of 2020. It says once the pilot is completed, it clinicians in memory clinics) and is currently obtaining Conference: for more
aims to have over 50 memory clinics and then wider expressions of interest from memory clinics clinicians information, see Resources,
community participation in the registry. (for more information email adnet.mc@unsw.edu.au). p42.
Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020 Australian Journal of Dementia Care 9
NEWS
Royal Commission update Guidelines on
psychotropic
The Royal Commission into Commission’s reporting period pandemic in aged care and,
Aged Care Quality and Safety
continues its work, with five
for a further 3½ months. The
Commission will now deliver
the second, to inquire into
aged care accommodation.
medicines
hearings conducted in July, its final report by 26 February, • A virtual hearing from
August and September in 2021. 31 August to 2 September Professor Simon
Melbourne and Sydney – 2020 to examine Bell (pictured),
though with no public access, The hearings requirements for the delivery Director of the
due to COVID-19 restrictions – The five hearings conducted of high-quality and safe care Centre for
and the publication of a during July to September to older people in their Medicine Use
substantial body of research explored multiple issues: homes and in the community. and Safety at
reports since July (see below). • In Melbourne, from 15-17 • In Sydney, from 14-22 Monash
By 31 July 2020 – the final July 2020: to examine the September: on the financing University, will lead a
date for general submissions – provision of mental health and sustainability of future multidisciplinary team to
the Royal Commission had care, oral health care and improvements to the aged develop guidelines for the
received 9301 submissions. allied health care to people care system, the appropriate appropriate use of
COVID-19 has also receiving aged care services. funding model or models to psychotropic medicines for
influenced the schedule for the • Two hearings in Sydney from support the delivery of aged people living with dementia –
Royal Commission, with the 10-14 August 2020: the first, care services, and the thanks to a grant of $200,000
Prime Minister Scott Morrison to inquire into the response to prudential regulation of aged from the Dementia Centre for
extending the Royal the coronavirus (COVID-19) care providers. Research Collaboration
(DCRC).
The guidelines will consider
What the Royal Commission research says clinical, social and legal
dimensions of medication use,
Since July 2020, the Royal Commission into Aged South Australian Health and Medical Research
as well as non-
Care Quality and Safety has published nine research Institute examines practices in 11 countries and 305
care quality indicators. Countries examined include
pharmacological alternatives
reports, exploring a range of broad future-facing
issues such as Australians’ views on aged care, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, The to psychotropic medications
models for aged care, and future cost implications of Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, including person-centred
aged care reform. These reports will play an important and Iceland. approaches. DCRC says that
part in informing the findings and recommendations implementation planning and
presented in the Commissioners’ final report in 2021. Paper 9, Cost Of Residential Aged Care: The regular stakeholder
University of Queensland conducted this research engagement will take place
Research Paper 4, What Australians Think Of Ageing using detailed financial data, a comprehensive set of
throughout the guideline
And Aged Care: Roy Morgan report sharing findings care quality indicators for aged care homes, and a
development process.
from a survey of 10,000 people seeking their views on measure of relative care needs, which was developed
ageing and aged care. by the University of Wollongong in Research Paper “We propose to adopt,
10. adapt, update and develop
Paper 5, They Look After You, You Look After Them: guidelines on psychotropic
Ipsos report sharing the findings of 35 focus groups Paper 10, Technical Mapping Between ACFI and AN- medications to incorporate
and 30 in-depth interviews conducted during July- ACC: The University of Wollongong conducted its best available evidence,
September 2019 about attitudes to ageing and aged research in collaboration with the University of including for Aboriginal and
care. Queensland. Their work provides a measure of relative Torres State Islander peoples,
care needs to assist with supplying data and care
people with intellectual
Paper 6, Australia’s Aged Care System: Assessing quality indicators.
The Views And Preferences Of The General Public For disability and people from
Quality Of Care And Future Funding: This Flinders Paper 11, Aged Care Reform: Projecting Future culturally and linguistically
University research showed that Australians strongly Impacts: This report from Deloitte Access Economics diverse backgrounds,” said
support increased funding to ensure universal access examines key aged care funding reforms the Royal Professor Bell. “Our goal is to
to high-quality aged care services in the future. Commission is considering. The modelling indicates improve care for people living
reform would need new funding equivalent to a with dementia,” he said.
Paper 7, Models Of Integrated Care, Health And 1 percentage point increase in income tax rates. Professor Henry Brodaty
Housing: This paper prepared by the National Ageing
Paper 12, Report On The Profitability And Viability Of
(UNSW Sydney and a Director
Research Institute (NARI) provides an overview and
The Australian Aged Care Industry: In this report, of the DCRC) said that the
analysis of integrated models of care for older people
as they relate to health care, social care, and housing global professional services firm BDO analyses data DCRC had funded the
or accommodation in Australia. supplied by aged care providers to the Australian guideline development in
Department of Health – and concludes that there is response to the high use of
Paper 8, International and National Quality and Safety not enough transparency in the way this information is psychotropic medications in
Indicators for Aged Care: The new research from handled in Australia. residential aged care facilities
and the recommendation from
the Royal Commission into
Essential reading for all who Aged Care to avoid chemical
restraints.
work with people with dementia The guidelines are due to be
Subscriptions $99 per year (inc GST & postage) • www.journalofdementiacare.com finalised in April 2021.
10 Australian Journal of Dementia Care October/November/December 2020 Vol 9 No 4NEWS / DEMENTIA CARE DURING COVID-19
International report on COVID-19 impact
The London School of The report authors conclude governments to collect,
Economics and University that the high rates of deaths in analyse and publish key data,
College London is leading an people living with dementia including mortality data and
international collaborative are linked to death rates in care disruption to diagnosis,
effort to report on the impact homes, where many residents disaggregated by age, gender
and mortality of COVID-19 on have dementia. They are and the presence of pre-
people living with dementia concerned that in many places existing conditions, to help
across the world. the basic human rights of find critical solutions to
So far the team has collected people with dementia may mitigate risks and find
data from nine countries: the have been compromised solutions to a return to
United Kingdom (UK), Spain, during the pandemic, and that support for people living with
Ireland, Italy, Australia, the guidelines and tools to support dementia.
US, India, Kenya and Brazil. institutions and practitioners to The report is available to
Alzheimer’s Disease
The ‘living’ publication, respond better to the needs of download at https://bit.ly/
Impact and Mortality of COVID- people with dementia during International CEO Paola 3hbPdyg. The publication also
19 On People Living With the pandemic are required as a Barbarino reports on the impacts
Dementia: Cross-Country matter of urgency. “We need transparency. internationally of COVID-19
Report, will be updated in Alzheimer’s Disease Governments must in terms of access to healthcare
coming months, but reported International (ADI) responded incorporate dementia into for people living with
in August that people with to the report by saying the COVID response plans to dementia; impacts on people
dementia account for: global community must come protect the millions of people living with dementia in the
• 25% of all COVID-19 related together to form an action plan impacted by dementia community; impacts on
deaths in England and Wales to protect people with globally,” says ADI CEO Paola people with dementia living in
• 31% in Scotland dementia from the worst Barbarino. “They deserve care homes, and presents an
• 19% in Italy. ravages of COVID-19, and that dignity, and we need justice overview of international
Nation-level data has not further data on dementia- for those who have sadly policy and practice measures
been available for the rest of COVID mortality is urgently died,” she said. to mitigate the impact of
the countries. needed. ADI is calling on COVID-19.
Federal aged care funding boost Royal Commission on COVID-19
The Minister for Health Greg In a damning indictment of the By the final day of the
Hunt and Minister for Aged aged care sector, the Royal hearing (13 August) there had
Care Senator Richard Colbeck Commission into Aged Care been 220 deaths of residents in
announced in late August that Quality and Safety’s Senior aged care due to COVID-19 –
the Australian Government Counsel Peter Rozen QC has representing 70% of all the
will provide an additional concluded that “none of the country’s COVID-19 deaths.
$563.3 million to extend Greg Hunt and Richard Colbeck problems that have been “On this measure,” he said,
support for the aged care associated with the response of “we’re one of the worst
sector’s response to COVID-19. the Supporting Aged Care the aged care sector to COVID- performing countries in the
The announcement came Workers in COVID-19 Grant, to 19 was unforeseeable”. world.”
shortly after the Prime help providers cover the costs Mr Rozen made his remarks Mr Rozen called for a
Minister’s announcement that of implementing single site in the final session of the national aged care plan for
an additional $171 million workforce arrangements in the Royal Commission’s hearing COVID-19 to be put in place,
would go to the sector, and hotspots of Greater Melbourne into the response of the aged overseen by a national
earlier announcements in June and the Mitchell Shire. care sector to the pandemic coordinating body, with
and March. The Government will also (held 10-13 August in workforce challenges
The late August funding provide a third Workforce Sydney). The particular addressed as integral to the
boost takes the Government’s Retention Payment based on challenges of COVID-19 plan – given problems such as
spending commitments to aged employment at 30 November restrictions for people with the casualised workforce in
care to over $1.5 billion since 2020, costing $154.5 million dementia came up repeatedly. aged care, and the urgent need
the pandemic began. and will expand support for Mr Rozen said the sector for clinical skills during an
The latest round includes a older Australians who was not well prepared for the outbreak. At the time of going
$245 million injection of the temporarily relocate from pandemic, that the lessons to press, the Commission was
COVID-19 Support Payment residential aged care facilities from the early outbreaks at due to issue a special report
provided to all residential aged to the community to live with Dorothy Henderson Lodge on 30 September on the
care providers; a 30% increase their family due to concerns and Newmarch House had COVID-19 pandemic in aged
in the viability supplement and about COVID-19, with an not been properly conveyed to care, with specific
the residential care homeless additional $71.4 million for the the sector, and further that the recommendations on
supplement for a further six Commonwealth Home sector “is not properly measures to protect older
months; and an extension of Support Program. prepared now”. Australians.
Vol 9 No 4 October/November/December 2020 Australian Journal of Dementia Care 11NEWS / DEMENTIA CARE DURING COVID-19
Review of care in time of COVID at Data in aged care
On 12 September 2020 the
International Dementia Conference Australian Government began
publishing a weekly ‘data
snapshot’ of residential aged
A panel of aged care experts care facilities which have
representing the UK, The recorded COVID-19 infections
Netherlands and Australia has – with a view to providing
agreed that lessons from the greater transparency for
pandemic must be integrated residents and their families
into the continuing and future around the situation in aged
pandemic response. care facilities.
The discussion took place The data includes all aged
during a session titled ‘Care in care facilities where there has
the time of COVID’ at been more than one case in
HammondCare’s virtual, either a staff member or
interactive International resident. It shows that of the
Dementia Conference, held on Professor June Andrews and Professor Wilco Achterberg, speaking 2706 aged care facilities in
21 September. during the virtual ‘Care in the time of COVID’ panel discussion Australia, 213 (or 8%), have
Australia’s Professor Chris during HammondCare’s International Dementia Conference had cases of COVID-19, and
Poulos, Head of Research of these, 115 facilities have had
and Positive Ageing at Professor Wilco Achterberg, hospitals, waiting for a move two or more cases (with 110
HammondCare, said that, a physician from The to aged care, when the of these in Victoria).
while the response overall in Netherlands, said that in the pandemic hit. The report says the death
Australia has been “generally early part of the pandemic, “In the UK, there was rate in aged care across
quite good”, the sector could aged care homes were not seen rushed response to suddenly Australia as a proportion of
have been more proactive as an important part of the move older people from total aged care residents is
about some of the measures to health care system and so hospitals into aged care, around 0.32% (3.2 in 1000)
prevent the virus getting into missed out on vital planning often without the normal compared to 5.3% in the UK.
aged care homes. and resourcing. transition processes,” It also shows that 32,398 aged
“We should have known “The pandemic exposed an Professor Andrews said. care residents died between 1
earlier that we should have existing issue that our care Architect David Hughes, January and 31 July 2020
been restricting staff working home network, while recent Chair and CEO of compared to 33,383 residents
across more than one care providing very good care, was Pozzoni Architects, for the same period in 2019. The
home – we were a bit late to not taken seriously by the Manchester and London, report says the reduction this
the game with that,” he said. wider health sector,” Professor said a key learning from the year is likely to be due to
He cautioned against Achterberg said. pandemic was that the small increased influenza
blaming governments or Professor June Andrews said household model for aged immunisation rates and
providers though, saying, one of the biggest challenges and dementia care had increased infection control
“This is about lessons learned in the UK had been the proved effective for infection protocols introduced during the
and moving forwards.” number of older people in control. pandemic.
Latest news from the ACQSC Senate censure of Colbeck
The Aged Care Quality and identified in their service. The Senate has formally “high water mark” (iii)
Safety Commission (ACQSC) Unannounced spot checks censured the Minister for Aged dismissing deaths as a
has confirmed that it is conducted by the ACQSC Care and Senior Australians, “function of aged care”, and
working with State and initially in Victoria and NSW Senator Richard Colbeck, on a (iv) failing to take responsibility
Territory governments and are being extended to all number of matters in relation for the devastating crisis in the
local health authorities across jurisdictions to observe to his handling of his portfolio aged care sector, which has
Australia to monitor and test infection control practices, and during the pandemic. caused death, grief, and untold
preparedness of aged care ensure that staff, management Senator Penny Wong, the trauma for vulnerable
residential services to further and visitors are adhering to Leader of the Opposition in the Australians and their families.
outbreaks of COVID-19. safe personal protective Senate, put forward the motion The motion was passed 25
It says it is drawing on equipment (PPE) protocols, to censure the Minister on 3 to 21.
lessons learnt from outbreaks and safe infection control September on these grounds: (i) While Labor called on the
in NSW and Victoria to ensure arrangements. failing to recall the most basic Minister to resign, Senator
that all services nationally have The ACQSC says it modified and tragic facts about aged care Mathias Cormann backed the
well-tested plans, adequate its regulatory program in residents (pertaining to his Minister by telling the Senate:
training and infection control March 2020 to focus additional inability to recall basic “We stand with our colleague
practices to minimise infection effort where it is needed most information requested in a Senator Colbeck who is doing a
risks and to respond to ensure that providers are recent Senate committee very good job in a very
immediately, decisively and doing everything possible to hearing) (ii) describing his challenging area in a very
effectively if a positive case is keep aged care consumers safe. management of aged care as a difficult context.”
12 Australian Journal of Dementia Care October/November/December 2020 Vol 9 No 4You can also read
