Empathy and Education: Supporting Dementia

Sally Kennedy, Team Leader and Incident Management Lead

For people employed in the caring sector, dementia is a condition that many of us will come to work with. Like all disabilities, it is a condition diagnosed based on a cluster of symptoms – a clinical approach that doesn’t always factor in that every person living with dementia is, in fact, a person. 

Understanding how to work with dementia requires a two-pronged approach: empathy and education.

I have supported many, many people living with dementia in nearly two decades working across disability and aged care. Every single person is unique, despite sharing a diagnosis and having overlapping symptoms. There is no one-size-fits-all method to supporting dementia, because no two people are the same – their histories and experiences are dynamic and entirely individual.

Maintaining empathy is key.

Empowering ourselves through knowledge is an extraordinary opportunity. Understanding the facets of dementia supports us to support others, granting us some insight into the condition.

This month, I asked MAP’s Team Leader, Sally Kennedy, about her experiences with dementia training.

Training courses

Having completed two online courses through the University of Tasmania, Sally is currently enrolled with them in a Diploma of Dementia Care. The course has a scholarship program, so eligible students study for free.

Understanding Dementia and Understanding TBI, Sally’s completed study courses, are MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course). These free opportunities provide university-level education.

Dementia Australia offers another great source of learning through short, online information sessions.

Sally shares vital learning

I asked Sally for a key takeaway from the training she’s done. Her insightful answer is valuable advice for anyone supporting a person living with dementia:

“One of the biggest things I took away from the Diploma of Dementia Care is just how important a person-centred approach really is. It’s not just about managing symptoms –it’s about really understanding the person behind the diagnosis. The course helped me see how things like communication, environment and relationships can make a huge difference to someone’s quality of life. It also gave me practical tools to support people living with dementia in a way that promotes their dignity, independence and overall wellbeing.”

Reminiscence Theory

The aim of education is to provide us with knowledge and skills we can apply in our daily lives. I asked Sally something she’s learned that she uses most often – and she surprised me by sharing a theory I’d never heard named before.

“I loved the science and theory side of what is happening in the brain. I use Reminiscence Theory often. It doesn’t require pressure to recall actual events and can help clients feel more grounded, connected and valued.

“It can bring joy, reduce anxiety and even improve communication. Less about testing memory, it’s more about connection and sharing. I use this frequently with one of our participants who has younger-onset dementia, using music to spark conversation topics. This has really helped in building a trusted relationship.”

The CareSide offer some great information on Reminiscence Therapy for dementia – I wanted to learn more about it after speaking with Sally!

Final thoughts

The benefits of education are for everyone – for professionals supporting people living with dementia, for loved ones and for those who have received a diagnosis. Knowledge is both powerful and empowering.

Sally recommends the training she’s completed to families, friends and community groups, to broaden understanding and empathy throughout our communities. Having benefitted greatly from the courses, Sally told me that it reminds her to always take a person-centred approach with participants and clients, while also giving her the ability to support her team through shared knowledge and leading by example.

Sally, thank you so much for the wonderful insight into how specialised training supports us to support others, along with how it can empower and promote empathy, allowing us all to show up and offer the best support we can to those who need it – for people living with dementia or any other disability, as well as to our families, friends and communities.