Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.
Although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, an early diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person may be able to maintain their mental function for longer.
A diagnosis helps people with dementia get the right treatment and support. It can also help them, and the people close to them, to prepare for the future.
E-Learning :
The Training Hub in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society are now offering E-learning modlues :
Understanding Dementia
45 minutes
This course is designed to help you learn about dementia, including different forms of the disease and how the brain is affected.
We will explore how dementia is diagnosed, risk factors as well as how dementia can affect day-to-day life. Learning outcomes:
■ Understand what dementia is and how it affects the brain.
■ Explore the risk factors to developing dementia and how the condition is diagnosed.
■ Gain insight into what it is like to live with dementia, both for the person and those around them.
■ Understand how you can support people living with dementia.
Course level: Introductory.
Supporting Customers with Dementia
45 minutes
Learn how to provide outstanding customer service to people affected by dementia, including how to communicate with customers face-to-face and over the phone.
Learning outcomes:
■ What dementia is and how to spot the signs and symptoms.
■ Understand how the symptoms of dementia can affect a person’s behaviour and communication.
■ Learn practical ways you can support people living with dementia in a customer-facing environment.
Course level: Introductory.
Understanding the early stages of Dementia
45 minutes
This course will help you to understand what it is like to live with dementia in the early stages. You will gain the knowledge and skills to recognise when someone may be experiencing difficulty as a result of the early stages of dementia.
Learning outcomes:
■ Identify the symptoms a person may experience in the early stages of dementia.
■ Understand how the early symptoms of dementia can affect a person’s behaviour and communication.
■ Recognise how the early stages of dementia may impact a person’s day-to-day life.
■ Learn practical ways to support people in the early stages of dementia.
Course level: Introductory
Engaging with people in the early stages of Dementia
45 minutes
This course will help you to understand how dementia can affect a person’s communication skills and engagement with social interactions and activities.
We will explore communication techniques that will help you to meaningfully interact with people affected by dementia and ways to provide person centred care and support.
Learning outcomes:
■ Identify barriers to meaningful engagement for people in the early stages of dementia. ■ Learn communication skills.
■ Understand the principles of person-centred care and support and how to apply them in practice.
■ Learn ways to help people in the early stages of dementia to remain active.
Course level: Intermediate
Responding to Distressed Behaviours
45 minutes
This interactive course will help you to understand the link between our brain and our actions, and some of the mannerisms that you may see in people with dementia. Furthermore, you will learn how to identify the underlying causes of distressed behaviours and how to respond to these with empathy and respect.
Learning outcomes:
■ Understand how dementia affects the brain so you can recognise when dementia is impacting somebody’s behaviour, actions and/or emotions.
■ Identify the types of behaviour a person with dementia may display.
■ Understand the causes of distressed behaviours and the triggers to look for so you can provide practical support.
Course level: Intermediate
Understanding the later stages of Dementia
5 minutes
Learn how the symptoms experienced by people in the later stages of dementia can impact a person’s experience of the world, their ability to communicate and their behaviours.
Learning outcomes:
■ Identify the symptoms a person may experience in the later stages of dementia.
■ Understand how the symptoms of advanced dementia can affect a person’s behaviour and communication.
■ Recognise how the later stages of dementia may impact a person’s day-to-day life
■ Learn practical ways to support people in the later stages of dementia.
Course level: Introductory.
Creating Dementia Friendly Environments
Creating dementia-friendly environments 45 minutes
This interactive course will help you to understand how the symptoms of dementia affect the way a person experiences the environment around them.
Learning outcomes:
■ Understand how the symptoms of dementia can impact the way a person experiences the environment around them.
■ Learn how to assess how dementia-friendly a space is and identify practical changes you can make to create dementia-friendly care environments.
■ Understand the benefits of creating environments that are accessible and support the wellbeing of people living with dementia.
Course level: Intermediate