In partnership with Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) the Enhanced After Hours Project Leads from the Gold Coast Health RACH Acute Care Support Services (RaSS) team invites GPs and nurses working in residential aged care homes to an insightful exploration into the complex care needs and challenges of residents with dementia. Our distinguished speakers bring expertise from across the sector, offering valuable insights into understanding behaviour changes, recognising common behavioural and psychological symptoms, and implementing effective management strategies.

Learn in detail about important tools for dementia care, including medication management strategies and evidence-based assessment tools. Conclude the day with a collaborative brainstorming session aimed at developing actionable solutions, fostering a proactive approach to addressing these challenges.

Key Speakers

• Dementia Support Australia and Dementia Training Australia Consultants – led by Heather L’Huillier  
• Dr Claudia Wong and Dr Jen Lim | RaSS Geriatricians
• Dr Laurie Grealish – Clinical Nurse Consultant Older Person Education | Gold Coast Health Nurse Educator
• Dr Jo-Anne Todd – Cognitive Ageing Specialist | Gold Coast Health Nurse Educator
• David Krygger  | Queensland Ambulance Service Paramedic
• Loren de Vries – Senior Practitioner | Behaviour Support Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
• Debbie Phillips – Senior Sergeant, State Disability & Elder Abuse Coordinator | Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit
• Mitch Gray – Senior Sergeant | Queensland Police Service
• Georgia Howard – Nurse Navigator | Older Persons Mental Health
• Kiran Purba – Senior Occupational Therapist | Older Persons Mental Health

Learning Objectives

• Gain a deeper understanding of the nature of changed behaviours in residents with dementia and the expression of a behaviour as an unmet need.  
• Identify common behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in how this differs from delirium and develop proactive strategies.
• Discuss medication management for residents with dementia.
• Gain awareness of available resources and apps to assist in caring for residents with dementia, eg DSA Hotline GP Advice Service.
• Utilise evidence-based assessment and screening tools such as Dementia Support Australia Delirium Screen Tool and Behaviour Assessment Form (BAF) to systematically assess and document changes in behaviour, cognition, or mood that may indicate underlying health issues or unmet needs.
• Utilise training and guidance from Dementia Training Australia in the new concept AID approach which facilitates and optimises resident and staff safety in a complex critical situation.
• Guide and support the interpretation of findings from assessment and screening tools and to develop actions based on these findings that enact timely interventions and individualised care plans for residents with dementia.
• Develop greater awareness of the wider health system challenges associated with caring for residents with dementia.
• Reflect on personal and organisational challenges and experiences surrounding caring for residents with dementia. Participate in a room-wide brainstorming session to develop actionable solutions to these challenges, supporting a shift to a proactive culture and approach.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided.

Parking: There is plenty of onsite parking in the library car park. Please ensure you park in a 2-hour car space (not 30 minute). When you sign in you will be issued with a parking permit to place on your dashboard.

Download a printable flyer

Click here to view the agenda

Post event resources

Presentations:

• Changed Behaviours | Dr Claudia Wong

• Approaches to care of people living with dementia at Gold Coast Health | Jo-Anne Todd & Laurie Grealish

• Medications in BPSD | Dr Jen Lim

• Behaviour Support and Restrictive Practice | Loren deVries

• Resources when behaviour change is impacting care | Heather L’Hullier, Dementia Support Australia

• Dementia Training Australia: Training Resource – AID approach | Katy Wyles & Marie-Anne Schull

• Behavioural disturbances in older adults | David Krygger, QAS

• Responding to Dementia in Aged Care | Detective Senior Sergeant Debbie Phillips

• Older Persons Mental Health Community | Georgia Howard & Kiran Purba

Article | Specialist residential dementia care for people with severe and persistent behaviours: A ten-year retrospective review

Dementia Training Australia | Post event information

To access the other resources associated with this topic, please register to access the CB toolkit from the Dementia Training Australia website.