Alice Rota-Bartelink

University of Tasmania ,Australia

Abstract Title: Preparing the Future Workforce: Fully Online Tertiary Education in Ageing and Dementia for Health Professionals at the Wicking Centre

Biography:

Alice Rota-Bartelink is a Senior Lecturer in Gerontology and Ageing at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania. She leads fully online programs in ageing and dementia care, ranging from MOOCs to tertiary qualifications. Her work focuses on workforce development, policy alignment, inclusive communication and person-centred education to improve the quality of care for older people. She collaborates across academia, industry and government to support sector reform in Australia and internationally.

Research Interest:

Tertiary education plays a vital role in preparing a workforce capable of responding to the increasing complexity of ageing and dementia care. In Australia, the new Aged Care Act and the National Dementia Action Plan (2024) place strong emphasis on workforce capability, human rights, person-centred care and evidence-informed practice. To meet these expectations, the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre delivers a fully online suite of programs, ranging from large-scale MOOCs to accredited tertiary qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate level. These programs offer accessible pathways into ageing and dementia education and support those already working in the sector to build advanced knowledge without leaving the workforce. Unlike vocational training reliant on clinical supervision, Wicking’s tertiary programs are competency-aligned rather than competency-assessed, allowing health professionals to apply learning directly to real-world care contexts. Teaching emphasises therapeutic communication, multimorbidity, policy literacy, dementia symptom management and the wider social and political drivers of care. Case-based activities and reflective learning encourage students to integrate theory into practice and approach ageing as both a health and societal challenge. Drawing on experience teaching learners across Australia and internationally, this presentation will outline how tertiary education can align with current policy reforms and contribute to a future-ready workforce. Feedback from learners highlights ongoing gaps in confidence relating to communication, the interpretation of policy and symptom management in complex dementia care. These insights inform ongoing curriculum renewal and strengthen opportunities for international adaptation of the model. This session will be of relevance to educators, policymakers, aged care leaders and health professionals seeking scalable, evidence-based strategies to improve workforce capability and sector sustainability.