Careerforce is currently awaiting approval of the new dementia unit standard from NZQA. Once approval has been granted, we will begin accepting registrations to complete the unit standard. Approval is expected by late January / early February 2015.
Careerforce is excited to announce it has been tasked with co-ordinating a new training programme for workers who support people with dementia.
This work is funded by an investment of $1.2 million provided through the Ministry of Health to support the training of healthcare workers. Priority is being given to workers supporting people living with dementia in their homes.
Alzheimers New Zealand and the ‘Walking in Another’s Shoes’ group are pleased to be collaborating with Careerforce in this new project.
Alzheimers New Zealand estimate that just over 50,000 people in New Zealand have dementia now and that number will triple to 150,000 by 2050 as the population ages. This makes dementia ones of New Zealand’s most significant and growing healthcare challenges. This coupled with improved recognition of the condition means it is more important than ever that quality and accessible training and education is provided.
This new initiative will see approximately 2000 workers being able to benefit and gain skills in recognising, understanding and supporting people living with dementia.
Catherine Hall, Executive Director, Alzheimers New Zealand said the organisation is supporting the programme as part of its overall commitment to lifting the quality of care for people with dementia.
“People with dementia need and deserve a high quality of care,” Ms Hall said. “That means they need care that is specific to the condition, but also tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
“To be able to deliver that, it is critical that the people delivering the care have the specific training and education they need to provide the quality of care that people with dementia deserve.”
Susan Gee, from the CDHB’s Walking in Another’s Shoes education team added. ”We know we can make a difference to the quality of life of people living with dementia by the way we treat each individual, so we are excited to see person-centred care at the core of this project”.
Careerforce, the industry training organisation for the health, disability and social
services sectors, will coordinate the delivery of the programme. Gill Genet, Acting Chief Executive, said “The programme, which trains the trainers and assessors who then deliver the programme in the workplace, is a great example of the sector working collaboratively to implement an enduring training approach that can reach all communities in New Zealand.”
Further details will be available as the project progresses.
 |
 |
 |
| Careerforce www.careerforce.org.nz |
Alzheimers New Zealand www.alzheimers.org.nz |
Walking in Another’s Shoes |
Updated 30 May 2014