Principles of Dementia Care

About the Course

Around one million people in the UK live with dementia. It is estimated that 70% of people living in care homes in England have dementia or severe memory problems (Alzheimer’s Society). Most care workers support people living with dementia every day.

This course goes beyond basic awareness. You will learn how the main types of dementia affect people, how to tell the difference between dementia and a sudden change such as delirium, and how to give care that starts with the person rather than the task. The course covers communication, distressed behaviour, everyday health and wellbeing, medicines, rights and the law, safeguarding, working with families, and end of life care.

Each module includes realistic case studies and knowledge checks, so you can practise the decisions you will make at work.

What You Will Learn

At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:

Module 1: Understanding dementia

Module 2: Types of dementia

Module 3: Delirium, depression and sudden change

Module 4: Person-centred care

Module 5: Communication

Module 6: Distressed behaviour as communication

Module 7: Health, wellbeing and daily living

Module 8: Medicines in dementia care

Module 9: Rights, the law and safeguarding

Module 10: Families, carers and end of life care

Curriculum

10 chapters · 5 hours

01Understanding dementia
02Types of dementia
03Delirium, depression and sudden change
04Person-centred care
05Communication
06Distressed behaviour as communication
07Health, wellbeing and daily living
08Medicines in dementia care
09Rights, the law and safeguarding
10Families, carers and end of life care

Target Audience

Who is this for?

Care assistants

Support workers

Domiciliary (home care) workers

Supported living staff, and other social care staff who support adults who have, or may have, a brain injury

The course also benefits new starters completing induction and staff refreshing their knowledge

CPD Breakdown

Module 1: Understanding dementia	20 minutes
Module 2: Types of dementia	30 minutes
Module 3: Delirium, depression and sudden change	20 minutes
Module 4: Person-centred care	30 minutes
Module 5: Communication	30 minutes
Module 6: Distressed behaviour as communication	30 minutes
Module 7: Health, wellbeing and daily living	30 minutes
Module 8: Medicines in dementia care	25 minutes
Module 9: Rights, the law and safeguarding	30minutes
Module 10: Families, carers and end of life care	30 minutes
Course summary and final assessment	25 minutes
Total	5 hours (5 CPD points)