A year on from its launch, DREAM (Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring) is not just reshaping how respite is delivered, but redefining what dementia education can look like across the entire aged care workforce.
With more than 5,500 enrolments and over 8,000 module engagements to date, this fully funded national initiative is helping care workers around the country feel more prepared, supported and connected.
Developed in partnership between Dementia Support Australia and the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, DREAM was designed to support the often-overlooked dementia respite workforce. But its benefits are being felt well beyond respite alone. From registered nurses to volunteers, from lifestyle staff to kitchen hands, DREAM is bringing practical dementia education to every corner of aged care.
“Through programs such as DREAM, the Wicking Dementia Centre aims to deliver on the National Dementia Action Plan by building capability of the dementia workforce to care for and support older people living with dementia,” said Dr Kathleen Doherty, Senior Lecturer in Dementia and Program Lead for DREAM.
Unlike traditional education, DREAM offers more than a one-off module or seminar. It is built on three interconnected elements: Education, Network, and Coaching. Together, they form what many participants are calling an ecosystem of continuous learning and support.
DREAM’s five dementia-specific modules – Unpacking Dementia, Knowing the Person, Navigating Behaviour, Relationships and Communication, and Planning for Success – are practical, accessible, and designed with input from aged care providers, staff and even care recipients.
Short educational videos, infographics and additional resources allow staff to learn in bite-sized pieces that fit around busy shifts. As one participant shared, “Very informative, topics were well explained – improved and refreshed my dementia understanding.”
Another participant echoed this, saying, “This session has refreshed my skills and also given me new tips and ideas of how to deal with people living with dementia.”
The DREAM Network offers an online space for aged care workers to connect, share and learn from each other. Moderated by dementia experts, the Network has become a dynamic hub of peer support, with the most popular discussion topics including Navigating Behaviour, Knowing the Person, and Unpacking Dementia.
For many, simply knowing they are not alone in facing challenges has made a powerful difference. “I like that I had a chance to share information and talk through some difficulties,” said one care worker. Another noted, “Great open discussions. Felt listened to. Good clear information.”
What truly sets DREAM apart is its personalised coaching component. More than 3,300 participants have taken part in over 400 in-person and virtual coaching sessions delivered by dedicated dementia support coaches based across Australia.
Whether via Zoom, a phone call or face-to-face on-site, these coaches are bringing expert, hands-on mentoring directly to the workforce. “Face-to-face option was so much better for staff,” one provider shared. “Content and delivery were excellent. All information was relative with best practice, and practical interventions we can apply to care provided. Resources provided are useful for care planning and day-to-day applications.”
In regional and remote areas – where nearly one in four DREAM participants are based – this accessibility is crucial. “Very enriching with relatable use of realistic examples to emphasise important points,” said a participant from a rural service. “The best information we have had in a long time.”
One group described their coach’s visit as transformational. “Our coach made a truly positive impression. Her warmth, clarity, and expertise created a supportive environment that made the content easy to understand and apply. Staff left the session feeling encouraged, better equipped, and grateful for the opportunity.”
DREAM was developed to meet aged care workers where they are – both geographically and in terms of time and capacity. The program’s flexibility makes it easier to engage, without disrupting already stretched workdays.
The program’s wide appeal is evident in its diversity of users. Personal care workers, enrolled nurses, managers, hospitality staff, admin officers and volunteers have all taken part. Each role, whether clinical or non-clinical, plays a part in improving the day-to-day experience of someone living with dementia – especially in respite settings, where continuity and familiarity are harder to maintain.
Ultimately, DREAM is about more than knowledge. It is about confidence, connection and quality of care. It gives aged care staff the tools to better support people living with dementia, and in doing so, offers those people – and their families – a better quality of life.
“Very good at helping us to understand the issues that dementia can cause and how we react to them,” said one participant. Another summed it up simply: “A very good session that allowed time for lots of interaction and discussion, rather than just listening and being bombarded with information.”
As respite becomes an increasingly essential part of keeping people with dementia at home longer and supporting carers to keep going, programs like DREAM are not just welcome – they are necessary.
With no cost to join and an expanding community of practice across the country, DREAM is proving that when we rethink how we educate and support the workforce, we can radically improve the care people living with dementia receive.
To access the free DREAM, visit https://dream.utas.edu.au/
