The Australian government’s ARIIA Grants Program has announced the third round of funding, with 14 projects being awarded grants. The program aims to support innovative projects that will improve the quality of aged care in Australia.
Among the 14 successful projects is an online staff education program developed by Griffith University and Blue Care, which aims to improve pain assessment in people with dementia. Queen Victoria Care and the University of Tasmania are partnering on a project to build the skills, confidence and capacity of aged care staff to improve dementia care in residential settings.
Other projects receiving funding include a wellness program from Queensland Meals on Wheels and NACi Nutrition & Catering Institution, a project from Bolton Clarke Research Institute and QUT to support residents and prevent dementia-compromised behavioural issues associated with constipation, and an innovative dehydration testing device for use in residential aged care developed by Helping Hand Aged Care, University of South Australia and MX3 Diagnostics.
Microlearning technology provider Obvious Choice (2021 Future of Ageing Awards winner) in conjunction with Palm Lake Care, Community Based Support – Aged and Disability Care Services, Whiddon, Uniting Communities and Boston Bay Village for their micro-learning program to improve the competence of aged care workers in meeting the needs of persons living with dementia.
Swinburne University of Technology is partnering with RDNS Group to reduce depression in home-based aged care through digital technology intervention, while the University of Tasmania and Southern Cross Care (Tas) Inc. are bringing Namaste Care to people with dementia at the end of their life in residential aged care.
Other projects include a workforce capability assessment tool developed by the Aged Care IT Council, Ozcare, Anglicare Southern Queensland, VMCH, BaptistCare NSW & ACT and Swinburne University of Technology, and a world-first digital program from Moove & Groove, Twilight Aged Care and Australian Catholic University that enables more personable interactions between workers and residents in aged care.
