New tool to support dementia care workforce

A new app-based tool available from Dementia Australia will help support people working in health, disability and aged care to provide quality care for people living with dementia.

Dementia Australia Executive Director of Services, Advocacy and Research Dr Kaele Stokes said the tool – called Tell TiNA – will help workers and providers to assess the skills they need to embed in order to better support people living with dementia and meet the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards that commence from 1 November 2025.

“People living with dementia have specific care and support requirements that cannot be delivered without appropriate education and training of the workforce,” Dr Stokes said.

“This tool will support providers to take a continuous improvement approach to the care they deliver, as well as assess the strengths and areas of development within their workforce to build a comprehensive dementia care training strategy.

“Dementia education must not be a once off. It needs to include a regular process of formalised continuing professional development that benefits people receiving care as well as staff themselves.”

Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Col, who cares for his wife who lives with dementia and has recently transitioned into residential aged care, said a focus on strengthening the workforce is important.

“There needs to be a lot more support for staff – training should be continuous,” he said.

Deakin Distinguished Professor Kon Mouzakis from Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative said that by bringing together experts in dementia and technology, more effective workforce training and support can be provided when and where a worker needs it.

“Our team is proud to work with Dementia Australia to develop technologies like Tell TiNA, which provides resources for care workers to best support people living with dementia,” Professor Mouzakis said.

Tell TiNA was mapped to the recently released Dementia Training Australia National Dementia Education and Training Standards Framework and developed by Dementia Australia in collaboration with Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative(A2I2), who contributed to the concept development and technical delivery.

Tell TiNA can be previewed by downloading the free Ask Annie mobile app from any app store. Organisations can subscribe to access the dashboard and manage staff participation and performance.

In order to access the full version of Tell TiNA, providers can enquire via dementia.org.au/tell-tina or get in touch with one of Dementia Australia’s Business Solutions Consultants at development@dementia.org.au

To explore Dementia Australia’s innovative dementia training courses and tools for organisations and care workers supporting people living with dementia, visit dementia.org.au/professionals/professional-development-and-training

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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 433,300 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: Catherine McCarthy, Media and Communications Advisor catherine.mccarthy@dementia.org.au 0466 796 201

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.

Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:

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.