Environments

We train design, property management and care professionals to collectively help create supportive environments for people living with dementia and other aged-related dispositions.

Building on National Design Principles and Guidelines

Environments matter to people living with cognitive and physical impairments. Some buildings and outdoor areas present barriers, others reinforce retained abilities and invite opportunities for meaningful activity.

DTA partnered with the Department of Health and Aged Care to develop National Design Principles and Guidelines in response to recommendations made in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The guidelines our programs and resources are structured upon have been built over four decades of research and reflective practice.

These guidelines outline how residential care environments can best support the people who live there, especially those living with dementia.

Environments Training Program

Our consultancy service can help you create a dementia-friendly environment.

  • Available nationwide
  • Learn how to use an existing building more effectively, plan a refurb, or build new
  • A multimodal, scaffolded approach to training

This program empowers workforce to transform institutional aged care homes into places that support residents by created opportunities for meaningful life.

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We train your staff to create supportive environments, whether that means working with what you have or planning a refurbishment. It starts with a team of staff who want to explore their pivotal role in ‘remaking’ environments around the needs of residents. The end result might be a place that people can move around more easily, get outdoors or make a cup of tea.

The program is structured around three stages of project-based learning from group formation to the application of evidence-based practice. It is tailored to your organisation with a mix of online learning, virtual classrooms, and site-based training.

As the program progresses our trainers come to your site to work with your team in a manner that focuses on their reality. The program lasts between one and six months depending on your need and preferences and is available nationwide for metro, rural and remote sites.

By taking part in this program, you’ll not only transform your organisations physical spaces, but also positively impact the lives of those in your care.

Events

The upgrading of a fishpond and the gardens at Peninsular Villages Woy Woy helped to bring this cour

Workshop

Design Masterclass 2.0: Assessing and Improving Aged Care Buildings

Building on the success of the 2023 Design Masterclass series, this interactive one-day course will equip you with knowledge and skills to assess and improve aged care homes.

Environments Resources

Explore our range of resources.

Dementia Training Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Dementia Training Program