About DREAM

About DREAM

About DREAM

Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring (DREAM) is a national project that aims to boost the capability of the aged care workforce to deliver quality dementia respite care. Through a dedicated portal, DREAM provides the aged care workforce with online access to education, a dynamic Community of Practice and coaching tailored to individual and organisational needs.

DREAM is funded by the Australian Government under the Improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers grant opportunity.

Who is behind the DREAM Project

The DREAM Project is led by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, in collaboration with Dementia Support Australia. The Wicking Dementia Centre was established in 2008 and has a long history of excellence in online education, including Massive Open Online Courses, award courses such as the Diploma of Dementia Care and Master of Dementia Program and Equip Aged Care Learning. 

Dementia Support Australia has been delivering specialist services across Australia since 2016. Dementia Support Australia supports people living with dementia to better understand reasons for changes in behaviour and how to manage them.

Why it’s important to deliver quality dementia respite care 

The effects of dementia can be challenging for both the person living with dementia and the people caring for them. Dementia respite care can give carers “time out” and a much-needed rest. These breaks allow carers to be re-energised for their caring role and helps them to continue to support the person they care for, as long as possible, in their home or community. The person with dementia also gets the opportunity to build their social circle and their range of experiences.

How DREAM can help you or your organisation

DREAM is a free online platform, flexible to individual or organisational needs. Whether you are new to working in aged care or have many years of experience, an individual or a provider, DREAM is for you. This can include direct care staff and nursing staff but also people providing support services such as hospitality and maintenance staff, as well as management and volunteers.

  • Upskill yourself and your workforce with quality education designed for respite care.

  • Connect with the broader dementia respite community through the Community of Practice which spotlights dementia respite roles, shares innovative practice ideas, and celebrates delivery of quality dementia respite care. 

  • Book a coaching session where you can ask questions and get the support you need to provide empathetic, supportive, and enabling experiences for people living with dementia.