Voices in DREAM
Supporting you to support people living with dementia
Are you a frontline worker in dementia care or passionate about improving aged care? Join us for Voices in DREAM — supporting you to support people living with dementia. Voices in DREAM is a new podcast that shares honest stories, practical tips, and culturally responsive care strategies from people in the field in respite, permanent residential, and home care settings.
Hear from support workers, nurses, allied health professionals, and dementia support coaches who know what it’s really like to support and care for people living with dementia, especially in a respite setting.
Listen to our stories and subscribe now for inspiration, advice, and community support to help you deliver the best possible care—one story at a time.
DREAM (Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring) aims to boost the capability of the aged care workforce to deliver quality dementia care. Through a dedicated portal, DREAM provides free access to education, a dynamic network and coaching tailored to individual and organisational needs: https://dream.utas.edu.au/
DREAM is funded by the Australian Government and is free to access.
Voices in DREAM
The heart of care: A support worker’s role in creating a positive dementia community
Did you know that support workers are often the quiet heroes behind positive dementia care, helping residents feel safe, understood, and truly connected to their community.
In today’s episode of Voices in DREAM, we meet Sarah, a passionate and experienced support worker who plays a vital role in both respite and residential dementia care. From tailored activities to team collaboration and deep empathy, Sarah brings heart and purpose to everything she does.
Sarah shares how understanding each resident as an individual helps build trust, comfort, and joy. You’ll hear how teamwork, communication, and small daily actions can make a big difference to wellbeing both for those living with dementia and the staff supporting them.
In this episode, Sarah and Yashi discuss:
• Sarah's role and passion for dementia care
• Why personalised care matters in dementia settings
• How teamwork supports residents and families
• The importance of social connections and meaningful engagement
• Practical tips for support workers: empathy, observation, and patience
• How support workers create a sense of belonging and purpose