Dementia Australia welcomes commitment to dementia education and inclusive comnunities in Tasmania
Dementia Australia
Tasmanian healthcare workers will have a better understanding of dementia with the Tasmanian Government today committing to fund the roll out of Dementia Australia education and training to hospital staff and community nurses.
Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said the Tasmanian Government is to be commended for investing in dementia education and training for its healthcare workers.
“The commitment to invest in dementia education and training for staff in the four major hospitals is real recognition of the increasing impact dementia is having and the importance of taking action,” Professor Buchanan said.
“People living with dementia are hospitalised at approximately twice the rate of the general population, experience poorer outcomes from hospitalisation and typically have longer hospital stays, so it is critical we have staff who are adequately trained and skilled in dementia care.
“With an estimated 11,200 people living with dementia in Tasmania, and this number on the rise, I congratulate the Tasmanian Government on supporting not only people living with dementia and their families through this commitment, but also their healthcare workers by equipping them with vital dementia education and training.”
The Tasmanian Government investment in dementia education and training will be through running D-Esc (De-escalation training), Dementia Australia’s workshop which provides virtual reality (VR) emergency situation training for workers caring for people living with dementia. The course helps participants build empathy and understanding; and uses VR so workers can practice their response in a controlled and safe simulated environment.
D-Esc aims to reduce incidents of stress for people living with dementia, carers and families while increasing the confidence and personal safety of workers.
Dementia Australia has today also welcomed Tasmania’s Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Dementia-Friendly Communities Plan for Tasmania 2026-28 detailing how Members of Parliament can lead in making their electorates more dementia-friendly.
The Plan was developed in consultation with Dementia Australia Dementia Advocates and Tasmania’s Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Co-Convenors the Hon. Bridget Archer MP Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon. Cecily Rosol MP Greens Spokesperson for Health and Mental Health, and Ageing and Professor George Razay MP, Member for Bass.
It will harness the broad range of information, tools and supports provided by Dementia Australia, and includes practical strategies such as guidance for MPs for helping Dementia-Friendly Alliances with supports such as access to meeting rooms and sharing detail of their activities in their communications channels for greater dementia awareness and community building.
The D-Esc workshops and dementia-friendly plan were announced to coincide with a Dementia Australia technology innovation showcase at the Parliament of Tasmania.
The drop-in sessions were an opportunity for all Parliamentarians to experience Dementia Australia’s world‑leading digital tools and technologies that are raising awareness and upskilling Australia’s health and aged care workforces.
Technology demonstrations included D-Esc, Talk with Ted and Dine with Ted which uses technology to educate aged care workers to communicate with and support people living with dementia more effectively, Enabling EDIE VR – a virtual reality experience through the eyes of a person living with dementia and Ask Annie - a practical, flexible, accessible skills training tool that aged care workers can access via their mobile phone to improve their practice in real time.
To find out more about Dementia Australia’s technology, innovation, education and training for care workers please visit dementia.org.au
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Co-Convenor the Hon. Bridget Archer MP Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
"Delivering on our Government’s 2025 election commitment, we are partnering with Dementia Australia to roll-out this evidence-based training across Tasmania’s four major hospitals and community nursing teams.
"This work will equip our healthcare workers with practical skills and greater confidence to respond to challenging situations, while improving outcomes for patients and enhancing workplace safety.”
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Co-Convenor the Hon. Cecily Rosol MP Greens Spokesperson for Health and Mental Health, and Ageing
“The number of people in Tasmania with dementia is increasing and it’s important all of us become more aware of how to support people and their families as they navigate life with dementia. I am pleased to work with the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia to support greater dementia awareness in the community.”
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Co-Convenor Professor George Razay MP, Member for Bass
“I applaud this initiative to grow the knowledge, skills and confidence of Tasmania’s healthcare workforce in supporting people living with dementia and also their families. For many people dementia is shrouded in fear, so by increasing awareness and understanding, by fostering compassion and empathy, we can ensure that everyone feels respected, safe and valued.”
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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 446,500 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
Media contacts: Andrea Hogan, Media Relations and Communications Manager, 0406 904 118, [email protected]
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
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If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.