Masonic Care Tasmania (MCT) has a long history of involvement in aged care research. This includes the successful Teaching Aged Care Facility Program that commenced in 2013 at Fred French and Peace Haven and continues to be a part of regular business for the organisation. Having the opportunity to be involved in research projects creates positive change to practice and is very rewarding for MCT's care teams.

Most recently, the Improving Dementia Care research program began in May 2017.

This $250,000 dementia research and demonstration project was an exciting collaboration between Masonic Care Tasmania, the Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. The program's key aim was to develop, implement and evaluate the impact of a Dementia Care Support Worker with a UTAS Bachelor of Dementia Care in the aged care environment.

Over these two years, MCT has improved outcomes for their residents through a number of dementia care initiatives implemented in their three residential homes in Tasmania.

A considerable focus has been on improving staff knowledge and their understanding of dementia using a variety of modes of education. Key areas promoted include the utilisation of the free Dementia Australia training and assisting staff in completing the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Understanding Dementia with UTAS. Staff have embraced this expanded knowledge to assist them in understanding the complexities of caring and improving their approach when giving care to a resident living with dementia.

The care worker graduate has been able to bring their previous nursing home experience and dementia knowledge to the workforce in a supportive role.

This has assisted staff in managing and understanding specific vocal disruptive behaviours that can cause distress and disharmony in the home's environment. What's more, the role has helped MCT trial new approaches to care and to support family members of residents living with dementia.

An important part of this project role was researching dementia care evidence and locating relevant resources to facilitate improvements in care.

The support worker was instrumental in setting up an evidence-based sensory space where residents, family and community clients can visit and spend time experiencing different sensory aspects. It is a space where MCT has seen residents and their families relax and enjoy quality time together.

Masonic Care Tasmania has also introduced Elroy, their dementia therapy robot. Elroy is a humanoid robot that's designed specially to engage and entertain residents living with dementia. As part of their Improving Dementia Care Project, the robot uses software designed for aged care. He can move, feel, hear, speak, see, connect and think, giving him a friendly, patient and active personality. With programming support from staff, Elroy has "run" music groups, exercise classes and a games hour where residents are encouraged to socialise.....and have a good laugh!

The role of the Dementia Care Support Worker in this project has contributed to a stronger dementia and quality-of-life focus at Masonic Care Tasmania. Having delivered positive resident outcomes, the future is looking bright for this role.

Proudly, this project was recently named as a finalist in the ACSA (Aged Care Services Australia) Innovation in Service or Design category 2019