Completed Research Project
Effectiveness of Dementia Specific Carer Education Delivered Throughout Western Australia
Investigators: Toye C,
Funding: Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing
Administering institution: Consortium headed by Alzheimer's Australia with evaluation by Edith Cowan University (evaluation portion $48,863)
This project assessed the effectiveness of the dementia care education that was implemented throughout Western Australia as part of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing’s Dementia Care Essentials initiative. The education was delivered by a consortium of Alzheimer’s Australia (WA), McCusker Learning and Development, Aged and Community Services (WA), and the Aged Care Association of Australia (WA). The main target audience comprised care workers employed in residential and community aged care settings. Participants’ knowledge of dementia and dementia care was evaluated by an independent team from Edith Cowan University, before and after their inclusion in the education program, using a tool designed in Phase I of the project. In addition, participants’ perceptions of how the course altered their practice in caring for people with dementia were assessed several months after the education program ended, using another tool developed during Phase I. The program began on September 1st 2006 and the last evaluated course finished on April 3rd 2008. Study findings have been provided to the consortium for their inclusion in a final report to the Department of Health and Ageing.
