Australia’s allied health professionals (AHP) – physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists etc. – play a vital and often unrecognised role in the lives of people living with dementia. They are typically the first health professionals in contact with someone who may have early-stage dementia and therefore are key to noticing these signs and aiding in early diagnosis.
With the number of Australians living with dementia expected to double by 2058 to 849,300, having a trained workforce to support people living both at home and in care is integral to maintaining independence and health, while reducing the overall impact on the health and aged care systems.
It’s why Dementia Training Australia’s United for Dementia Care: Allied Health Symposium in Adelaide this week resonated so strongly with the industry, shining a light on how central AHPs are to dementia care in practice, not just theory.
AHPs are uniquely positioned to contribute to dementia care as the second largest workforce in healthcare after nursing. From helping people living with dementia manage symptoms and slow cognitive decline, to supporting pain management and improving mobility, these professions bring specialised skills in rehabilitation, behaviour management, and maximising independence.
As both a Director at Dementia Training Australia and as the Dementia Lead and Head of Physiotherapy for a hospital in Perth, I’ve witnessed first-hand how AHPs can transform hospital environments and patient outcomes through practical, person-centred initiatives.
I have played a key role in East Metropolitan Health Service’s journey in Perth, WA, to become a recognised dementia-friendly facility, guided by the principles of the ‘Better Way to Care’ approach.
East Metropolitan Health Service’s commitment began in 2016 with a pledge to deliver ‘A Better Way to Care’ for patients with cognitive impairment. What started as a targeted quality improvement initiative has since grown into an organisation-wide approach to dementia-friendly care, shaping every aspect of our healthcare delivery.
We’ve optimised partnerships both within and beyond the hospital walls to provide opportunities for staff, patients and their carers throughout the care continuum, like partnering with the local men’s shed to build a shared garden. We’ve also implemented the ‘Forget Me Not’ program, which has seen volunteer programs across multiple hospitals grow to provide a friendly face, emotional care, and practical assistance to those experiencing dementia and delirium.
The results have spoken for themselves. We’ve seen patients and families utilising outdoor spaces during visits, less food wastage from meal times, improved sleep patterns, enhanced wellbeing and engagement during therapy sessions.
It has been encouraging to see the wider impact throughout our service. Our dementia and delirium study days are now consistently booked out, and staff across disciplines proactively reach out with their own ideas for improving practice.
The enthusiasm witnessed at DTA’s Allied Health Symposium confirms what I’ve long believed: AHPs are committed to improving their knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care. By uniting our efforts across disciplines and care settings, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia, their families and caregivers.
Through collaboration, continuous learning, and person-centred innovations, we can create healthcare environments where people living with dementia receive the dignity, understanding and specialised support they deserve.
For more information and access to free training courses, please visit Dementia Training Australia’s website.
