A new artificial intelligence-powered dementia care platform designed to improve access to specialist care for people living in rural and remote Australia will be developed following a $4 million investment from the Medical Research Future Fund.
Led by Associate Professor Nasir Wabe from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University, the project, known as OneDementiaHub, aims to address significant gaps in dementia diagnosis, treatment and care across regional Australia.
People living in rural and remote communities are estimated to be three to five times more likely to develop dementia than those in metropolitan areas, while also facing delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialist services, often resulting in avoidable hospital admissions.
Associate Professor Wabe said OneDementiaHub would provide a purpose-built digital platform connecting dementia specialists, aged care providers and clinicians through a shared system that integrates data, people and services across the care journey.
The platform will enable specialists to conduct virtual assessments, provide faster access to expert advice, support safer medication management and deliver real-time dashboards to help aged care providers and clinicians make informed care decisions.
“OneDementiaHub will be a first-of-its-kind purpose-built digital platform that connects specialists and care providers through a shared system linking data, people and services across the dementia care journey,” Associate Professor Wabe said.
He said the technology could help reduce preventable medication-related harm, noting that more than 72,000 people from rural and remote areas are hospitalised each year due to medication errors.
“For those living with dementia, our use of AI will deliver a real chance to close that gap and deliver safer, faster, more personalised care, no matter where people live.”
The platform will be co-designed with people living with dementia, their families, aged care providers, clinicians and staff to ensure it is practical and meets the needs of both consumers and the workforce.
OneDementiaHub will initially be implemented across 34 residential aged care homes in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. The system will integrate with existing provider technologies and include workforce training to support adoption.
Regional aged care homes care for more than one-fifth of Australia’s residential aged care population but continue to face workforce shortages, financial pressures and increasing demand for specialist clinical support.
Professor Sakkie Pretorius welcomed the funding, describing Associate Professor Wabe as a leader in developing innovative approaches to dementia care.
“Associate Professor Wabe is at the forefront of innovative thinking as dementia rates continue to rise, and he and his team are showing how AI can be used to improve diagnosis, strengthen care, and make a real difference in regional communities,” Professor Pretorius said.
The project is being led by Macquarie University in partnership with 18 organisations, including aged care providers, peak bodies, government agencies and data analytics organisations across Australia.
