A new nationwide study co-authored by UCRH researcher Dr Mohammad Hamiduzzaman has revealed major gaps in dementia care training for health and aged care workers in rural and remote parts of Australia.
Dementia is now the leading cause of disease burden among older Australians, and providing quality care—especially in rural areas—depends on having a well-trained workforce. But this study shows that many workers feel their current training just isn’t enough.
The survey included over 550 health professionals from across Australia, working in hospitals, aged care homes, and community settings. Most said the dementia care at their workplace was falling short, especially when it came to supporting First Nations people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Workers also reported that limited resources and lack of input into training decisions made it hard to access or improve their skills. Those working in hospitals felt the least confident about their dementia care knowledge and were the most likely to say training was inadequate.
Dr Hamiduzzaman’s involvement in this research highlights UCRH’s commitment to health equity for rural communities. The findings send a clear message: better support and more tailored training are urgently needed to help health workers provide the kind of dementia care older Australians deserve, no matter where they live.
