A new app developed by Dementia Australia aims to boost the capabilities of health, disability and aged care workers in providing high-quality care for people living with dementia.
Unveiled this week, the tool called Tell TiNA is designed to help assess and develop the dementia care skills of the workforce in line with the new Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards coming into effect on 1 November 2025.
Dementia Australia’s Executive Director of Services, Advocacy and Research, Dr Kaele Stokes, said Tell TiNA supports providers in identifying strengths and areas for improvement within their teams.
“This tool will help organisations embed continuous improvement in dementia care and build a formalised, ongoing professional development strategy,” Dr Stokes said.
“People living with dementia have specific care needs that can only be met through sustained training and education.”
Dr Kaele Stokes
Dementia Advocate Col, who supports his wife in residential care, welcomed the tool’s focus on the workforce. “There needs to be a lot more support for staff, and training should be continuous,” he said.
Developed in collaboration with Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative (A2I2), Tell TiNA brings together dementia expertise and technology to deliver just-in-time training. “We’re proud to help create tools like Tell TiNA, which empower care workers to access tailored support when and where they need it,” said Distinguished Professor Kon Mouzakis of Deakin University.
The tool aligns with the National Dementia Education and Training Standards Framework and is available via the free Ask Annie mobile app. Organisations can subscribe to monitor staff engagement and progress through a dedicated dashboard.
With dementia affecting nearly half of all aged care residents, the tool offers a timely boost to workforce readiness as the sector prepares for reforms.
