Cognitive training and rehabilitation for people with dementia
This practical, evidence-informed workshop equips occupational therapists with the knowledge and strategies to implement cognitive training and rehabilitation approaches for people living with dementia, using real-world case scenarios to build clinical confidence and skills.
Program Overview
Occupational therapists play a central role in supporting people with dementia by building on preserved cognitive strengths and promoting independence in everyday life. This session explores non-pharmacological approaches of cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation and how each can be meaningfully integrated into OT practice.
Cognitive training targets specific cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and executive functioning. Cognitive rehabilitation takes a real-world focus, helping clients manage roles and routines, use memory aids effectively, and complete meaningful self-care tasks.
Through current evidence, practical frameworks, and real-world case scenarios, this session gives OTs the confidence to identify and apply these cognitive approaches with the clients they see.
What you will learn (key learning objectives):
- Understand the current evidence base for cognitive training and rehabilitation in people living with dementia including what the research says about effectiveness and best practice.
- Clearly describe the role of the occupational therapist in cognitive training and rehabilitation and articulate how this fits within the broader context of dementia care
- Distinguish between different cognitive approaches and the specific strategies associated with each, enabling more precise and individualised clinical decision-making.
- Build practical skills in identifying and implementing cognitive training and rehabilitation strategies through guided case scenarios drawn from real clinical contexts.
By attending this workshop you will:
- Learn to differentiate cognitive approaches and select the right strategy for each client’s goals and stage of dementia
- Gain a broader understanding of cognitive approaches to use with people with dementia, ground in current evidence
- Build practice confidence as you increase your understanding of the OT role in cognitive rehabilitation and training, supporting your conversations with clients, family and care team
- Develop knowledge and skills that can be translated into practice immediately through real-world case scenarios and practical frameworks.
Who is this workshop for
- Early career occupational therapists who are new to working with older people or just beginning to encounter clients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, this workshop will build foundational knowledge and practical confidence
- Intermediate OT practitioners who are already working in aged care, community, or hospital settings and looking to deepen your understanding of cognitive approaches and strengthen clinical decision-making in this area.
- OTs working with older adults who may have mild cognitive impairment or a dementia diagnosis, across community, subacute, or residential care.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
DATE:
Wednesday 19th August 2026
TIME:
9:30am - 12:30pm | ACT, VIC, TAS, NSW, QLD |
9:00am – 12 noon | SA, NT |
7:30am – 10:30am | WA |
Please log on 15 minutes prior to start time each day.
VENUE:
Online via Zoom. Login details will be sent to registered participants prior to the workshop.
ACCESS:
This is an interactive workshop and will not be recorded.
Participants will be able to access the workshop resources online in their OTA account for the duration of the event and for a further 12 weeks after the event.
CPD HOURS: Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 3 hours
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker.
REGISTRATION FEES
EARLYBIRD – Register on or before 12 July 2026
OTA Member: $150
New Graduate Member: $135
Non-member: $195
STANDARD – Register on or after 13 July 2026
OTA Member: $165
New Graduate Member: $150
Non-member: $215
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
Not a member, you can join here and enjoy many benefits.
RSVPS close at 11:55pm AEST on 16th August 2026.
Note: All pricing is inclusive of GST
DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By
Dr Sally Day
Sally is an occupational therapist with clinical experience working in health and aged care in Australia and the UK. She is passionate about supporting people living with dementia and promoting the role that occupational therapists can play in providing comprehensive dementia specific assessment and intervention in the community. Sally was the project manager for the COPE Australia project and was one of the original COPE Master trainers in Australia, adapting the original program to the Australian context and developing COPE Australia training.
Professor Kate Laver
Kate is an occupational therapist with clinical experience working with older people in home and rehabilitation settings. She leads studies of applied research translation, including forming collaboratives and training health professionals to support them to deliver evidence-based programs. She was involved in coordinating the National Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia. Kate was one of the original COPE Master trainers in Australia, adapting the original program to the Australian context and developing COPE Australia training.