Queensland and NSW aged care provider Whiddon, is set to launch a Dementia microlearning program on September 18th, coinciding with Dementia Action Week.
This program is funded by Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) in collaboration with Flinders University. Its primary goal is to develop a research-driven strategy for addressing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).
Whiddon is one of seven care providers involved in the program and the only one in New South Wales to implement the tailored microlearning model. Over a twelve-week period, 2,000 members of Whiddon’s care teams will participate, including Registered Nurses, Assistants in Nursing, Community Care and Support Services staff, and ancillary support personnel, following four successful pilot trials.
The Dementia microlearning program uses the Forget Me Not® mobile microlearning application to deliver five-minute learning activities on challenging dementia care topics. A study by the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council found that 91% of aged care workers liked the microlearning approach, and 82% found it more productive than traditional eLearning modules. Forget Me Not® and its parent company Obvious Choice was recognised in the 2021 Future of Ageing Awards – winning the People & Culture category…Read more…
The program emphasises a coaching approach and adapts to individual worker needs, aiming to enhance competence, well-being, and self-confidence in care practices. Its spaced repetition methodology recognises the importance of consistent and practical application of clinical information in dementia care.
“As the way we care for people living with dementia continues to mature, evidence-based strategies that support residents and clients to maximise their quality of life, remain paramount. At Whiddon, we believe initiatives such as the Dementia Microlearning Program which evolve traditional methods of dementia education, have the potential to transform the way we approach dementia care,” said Alyson Jarett, Deputy CEO of Whiddon.
With an estimated 400,000 Australians living with dementia, and the number expected to double by 2058, dementia care is a critical issue. The Dementia microlearning program is expected to provide valuable insights for responsive behaviour management and contribute to a better understanding of dementia care among frontline caregivers.
