Great care everywhere: building dementia capability across Australia

As Australia’s aged care system continues to transform, one truth remains constant: the quality of dementia care depends directly on the knowledge, confidence and capability of the workforce delivering it.

In her concurrent session (Day 2, Stream D) at the International Dementia Conference 2026, Dr Isabelle Meyer from Dementia Training Australia (DTA) will explore how we can achieve great care everywhere by strengthening workforce capability, whatever the care setting.

A human rights focus – but a critical capability gap

The new Aged Care Act places human rights at the centre of care delivery. While this shift is both welcome and necessary, Dr Meyer highlights an important challenge: the legislation does not define minimum dementia-specific knowledge or skill standards for care workers or health professionals.

A National Dementia Education and Training Standard Framework

To address this challenge, Dementia Training Australia has developed the National Dementia Education and Training Standard Framework – a consistent approach to defining the skills and knowledge required for care workers to deliver excellence in care, regardless of care setting.

In her concurrent session, Dr Meyer will explain how the framework is being used to:

• Build a skilled, confident and resilient workforce
• Improve consistency and quality of dementia care nationally, regardless of setting or location
• Improve access and equity of care for people living with dementia across Australia and leading to better experiences and outcomes for people living with dementia, and those who care for them

What the evidence tells us

Drawing on evaluation data from approximately 10,000 instances of dementia training, Dr Meyer will share practical insights into what works – and why it matters.

The session will address how targeted training supports:

• Better understanding and response to changes in behaviour
• Effective pain recognition and management
• Enabling the workforce to observe and de-escalate

The evidence is clear: dementia training is not just a reporting requirement. It is a proven tool for enhancing safety, reducing risk and improving outcomes for both staff and people receiving care.

For leaders, educators and frontline practitioners alike, this session offers practical guidance on how to enable better dementia care with the right knowledge, at the right level, for the right role – everywhere that care is delivered.

Isabelle is one of many passionate people taking the stage at #IDC 2026. Join us to explore how we care better for people living with dementia at the Hilton, Sydney on 4-5 June 2026.