Dementia training app adds palliative care course

Dementia Australia has added a palliative care course for aged, disability and healthcare workers to its interactive Ask Annie app; the app, which is free to download for both iOS and Android smartphones through the relevant app stores, provides on-the-go dementia training for care workers. The course — ‘A palliative approach to dementia care’ — comprises four key modules that care workers can explore anytime, anywhere, at their own pace, in short lessons on the mobile app.

The course launch coincided with National Palliative Care Week 2025 (11–17 May), with Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan saying that it aims to maximise quality of life at all stages and educate the dementia workforce on the importance of dignity for people living with dementia.

“Educating the health and aged care workforce about dementia and palliative care will make a critical contribution to improving access to timely and appropriate palliative care for people living with dementia,” Buchanan said. “It is not just about managing and treating physical symptoms, it is also about supporting the emotional, social, cultural and spiritual aspects of a person’s life whilst also supporting their loved ones.

“This course provides workers with insights into palliative care informed from real-life scenarios,” Buchanan added, “highlighting practical tips and skills to empower a compassionate, palliative approach to dementia care, with an additional focus on culturally diverse care.” The course was funded by Fronditha Care Foundation, which focuses on projects that advance delivery of culturally appropriate aged care services for older Australians.

“We collaborated with Dementia Australia, to deliver specialised training with a focus on a palliative approach to dementia care, psychosocial support, assessing and managing symptoms through exploring Greek customs around death and dying,” Spiteri said. “By acknowledging and respecting cultural beliefs and individual preferences and embedding practices across the continuum of care, we can better meet the needs of our elders at this stage of life.”

James Chaousis — a Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate who cared for his wife Linda who received palliative care before she passed away from dementia earlier this year — said compassionate care from care workers made a real difference. “It is important to uphold the core values and preferences of the person living with dementia,” Chaousis said. More information on the Ask Annie app is available at www.dementia.org.au/professionals/professional-development-and-training/ask-annie.