New Zealand needs to rethink how it trains and supports its dementia care workforce as digital technology becomes increasingly embedded in aged care, according to new research.
Dr Caroline Bartle, director of the Dementia Learning Centre at Alzheimers NZ, says technology offers significant opportunities to improve dementia care, but there is a risk that the human relationships at the heart of good care could be overlooked.
Her doctoral research Organisational Learning in Dementia Practice, undertaken through the University of Stirling in Scotland, examined how staff and organisations learn in four residential dementia care facilities operated by two New Zealand providers.
The research suggests that traditional, one-off training programmes are not enough to equip workers for the increasingly complex demands of dementia care.
"Good dementia care isn't simply about following procedures or ticking boxes. It's about understanding the person, recognising their changing needs and responding with empathy and good judgement," Dr Bartle says.
"Technology is changing how everyone in dementia care learns, from the floor to the boardroom. Our job is to make sure it brings the human back, not squeezes it out."
Dr Bartle says the research highlights the need for greater investment in workplace learning and what she calls digitally informed practice leadership, where leaders help staff use technology while strengthening the human relationships essential to quality care.
"People learn most while they're working. We need to invest in the people and systems that support that learning every day, rather than relying solely on formal training programmes."
Alzheimers NZ chief executive Dave Robinson says the research is timely, with around 83,000 New Zealanders currently living with dementia, a number projected to almost double by 2050.
"Demand for quality dementia care is growing rapidly, and we need a workforce with the skills, confidence and support to meet that demand.
"Caroline's research makes an important contribution to understanding how we can achieve that. Technology has an important role to play, but it how it shapes learning must support, rather than erode, the personal relationships that are fundamental to good dementia care.
"We're proud of Caroline's work and the contribution the Dementia Learning Centre is making to improving dementia care across New Zealand."
For more information: contact Daniel Paul 021 400-993.
Dr Caroline Bartle, director of the Dementia Learning Centre at Alzheimers NZ, says technology offers significant opportunities to improve dementia care, but there is a risk that the human relationships at the heart of good care could be overlooked.
Her doctoral research Organisational Learning in Dementia Practice, undertaken through the University of Stirling in Scotland, examined how staff and organisations learn in four residential dementia care facilities operated by two New Zealand providers.
The research suggests that traditional, one-off training programmes are not enough to equip workers for the increasingly complex demands of dementia care.
"Good dementia care isn't simply about following procedures or ticking boxes. It's about understanding the person, recognising their changing needs and responding with empathy and good judgement," Dr Bartle says.
"Technology is changing how everyone in dementia care learns, from the floor to the boardroom. Our job is to make sure it brings the human back, not squeezes it out."
Dr Bartle says the research highlights the need for greater investment in workplace learning and what she calls digitally informed practice leadership, where leaders help staff use technology while strengthening the human relationships essential to quality care.
"People learn most while they're working. We need to invest in the people and systems that support that learning every day, rather than relying solely on formal training programmes."
Alzheimers NZ chief executive Dave Robinson says the research is timely, with around 83,000 New Zealanders currently living with dementia, a number projected to almost double by 2050.
"Demand for quality dementia care is growing rapidly, and we need a workforce with the skills, confidence and support to meet that demand.
"Caroline's research makes an important contribution to understanding how we can achieve that. Technology has an important role to play, but it how it shapes learning must support, rather than erode, the personal relationships that are fundamental to good dementia care.
"We're proud of Caroline's work and the contribution the Dementia Learning Centre is making to improving dementia care across New Zealand."
For more information: contact Daniel Paul 021 400-993.
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