It’s predicted that the number of Australians living dementia will increase to 1.1 million people by 2058, highlighting the need for a greater focus on workforce training and quality dementia care, including effective and engaging communication.
To help educate care workers to better communicate with and support people living with dementia, Dementia Australia has this week launched a new immersive experience, Talk with Ted, which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to provide online simulation of a typical communication experience between a care worker and someone living with dementia.
Designed by Dementia Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning and Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²) in collaboration with care workers, the program is based on real life experiences of people living with dementia.
“Talk with Ted is an innovative virtual tool to help ensure our aged care workforce are well trained and equipped to better support people living with dementia,” says Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe.
Ms McCabe adds that this program is “a world first in dementia education and applies a person-centred approach” for skill development.
This, she says, will help to ensure “users learn how to put the individual and their needs at the forefront of every interaction”.
“At the core of this tool is the ability to have a full conversation with Ted,” adds A²I² Co-Director Professor Kon Mouzakis, speaking about how avatar technology can be used to foster empathy and understanding in dementia care.
Talk with Ted can be purchased by individuals and all aged care providers across Australia through Dementia Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning, at dementialearning.org.au/technology/talk-with-ted/
For more information about the Dementia Australia Centre for Dementia Learning, its national services and technology, please visit dementialearning.org.au
