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
Color and contrast: Designing with the eye in mind
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Did you know that color and contrast can make or break how safe and welcoming a care environment feels? For people with dementia, high-contrast design supports depth perception, safety, and orientation.
In this episode, Dr Sun and Yashi explore how the thoughtful use of colour can transform dementia care spaces.
Tune in to learn about
· Why contrast matters for people living with dementia
· Using colors to signal safety, comfort, and familiarity
· Practical examples from real care homes
· How small design tweaks can reduce falls and anxiety
If you work in aged care, respite, or support someone living with dementia, this episode will give you fresh inspiration and practical ideas.
Dr Joanna Sun is an environmental gerontologist and lecturer at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. She leads the DESIGN Project (Design and Dementia Global Knowledge Translation) and has over two decades of experience in design and dementia care across Singapore and Australia. Her work focuses on creating enabling, inclusive environments and understanding how culture, policy, and the built and natural environment shape dementia care. Dr Sun co-developed the Singapore Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT), contributes to the global Dignity Manifesto of Design, and was recognised as a 2024 Fellow of the Australian Association of Gerontology.