Dementia Care Competencies Framework

The Dementia Care Competencies Framework was empirically developed through several rounds of online consultation using an e-Delphi.
The Dementia Care Competencies Framework was endorsed for all members of the nursing and allied health care profession and for those working in community, acute and residential aged care settings. Funding to develop the Dementia Care Competencies Framework was provided by NSW Health, and Dementia Training Australia.

In 2022, the PGNA endorsed the Dementia Care Competencies Framework for practitioners working in mental health for older person’s teams. 

The Dementia Care Competencies Framework was created to articulate 3 levels of practice: essential, enhance, expert. The core competencies articulate 3 components of dementia care practice.

The framework is shaped in the form of a tree, with three components:

1. The Roots (Facilitating Person Centred and Ethical Care Working with Families/ Informal Carers, Understanding Living with Dementia and Effectively communicating).
   
   
2. The Trunk (Recognising Dementia, Assuring Diversity and Inclusivity and Promoting Health and Well Being).
   
   
3. The Branches (Enabling the Activities of Daily Living, Implementing Therapeutic Activities and Promoting a Positive Environment). These areas are key to delivering person centred dementia care.