COURSE OVERVIEW:
Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a number of illnesses that affect the brain. It is not one specific disease. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia causes a progressive decline in a person’s functioning and affects a person’s thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks.
As a support professional there may be times when you are to provide support for someone living with dementia. It is important that you have an understanding of the symptoms of dementia and the different types of dementia individuals may have. Using a person-centred approach and addressing the needs of the person with dementia will ensure that the appropriate care and support is given.
Losing the ability to communicate can be one of the most frustrating and difficult problems for people with dementia, their families and carers. As the illness progresses, the person with dementia gradually loses their ability to communicate. They find it more and more difficult to express themselves clearly and to understand what others say. The use of both verbal and non-verbal communication strategies can help the person with dementia communicate their needs and wants, and also relieve distress, agitation and provide reassurance.
Keeping someone with dementia busy and engaged will become more difficult as the dementia progresses. However, by focusing on what he or she do, even when the illness is quite advanced, you can both enjoy a range of stimulating activities and outings together.
The types of activities that the person you care for will be able to do will depend on his or her degree of dementia and general health. Activities should be appropriate to the person and reflect his or her previous and present interests. Tailor the activities to fit in with the person’s preferences and abilities and make sure he or she will be able to cope with them physically. Activities should be positive and enjoyable.
Behaviours of concern are common and are a consequence of changes that can occur in the brain. Certain behaviours are linked with dementia. To help minimise the impact of behaviours of concern, it is essential to identify any triggers which may escalate that behaviour and implement strategies to reduce the behaviour. Your role as a support worker is to assist supervisors with implementing these strategies to reduce the frequency and impact of behaviours.
The physical and emotional demands of caring for someone with dementia can be high. As the amount of care that is needed increases, more time and energy is required from the carer. If you are caring for a person with dementia, you need to look after yourself or the demands may wear you down.
The first part of this course starts by explaining how to provide support to those affected by dementia. Then discusses how to use appropriate communication strategies to communicate with people with dementia, their families and carers. Then explains how to provide activities for maintenance of dignity, skills and health for people with dementia.
The second part starts by discussing how to implement strategies to minimise the impact of behaviours of concern associated with people with dementia. Also, discusses how and when to complete the necessary documentation for unacceptable behaviour and how to maintain and store documentation. Finally, explains how to implement self-care strategies to look after yourself when caring for people with dementia.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:
- What is dementia?
- The different manifestations of dementia
- How to provide support to people living with dementia?
- How to use a person-centred approach to support people with dementia?
- How to use appropriate communication strategies to communicate with people with dementia, their families and carers?
- How to assist in implementing a range of suitable activities that meet the needs of people living with dementia?
- The Alzheimer’s disease
- The vascular dementia or multi-infarct dementia
- The Lewy bodies
- The Korsakov Syndrome
- The Fronto temporal lobar degeneration (FLTD) including Pick’s disease
- The Huntington’s disease
- The Parkinson’s disease
- The younger onset dementia
- How dementia is a progressive neurological condition?
- The pathological features of dementia
- The common indicators and symptoms of dementia
- The behaviours of concern of people with dementia
- The needs driven behaviour model
- The de-escalation procedures for people with dementia, with concerning behaviours
- The strategies to minimise the impact of behaviours of concern
- The progression of dementia and potential impact on the person with dementia, their family and significant others
- The principles of person-centred approach to support people with dementia
- The relevant activities which enhance self-esteem and pleasure in the person’s life and distract from behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
- The competency and image enhancement as a mean of addressing devaluation
- How to maintain independence, using familiar routines and existing skills?
- How to organise activities to bring back pleasurable memories?
- How to ensure the safety and comfort of the person balanced with autonomy and risk taking?
- How to provide support and guidance to family and carers?
- The ABC approach to behaviour assessment
- How to record an incident report?
- How to maintain and store documentation?
- How to monitor your own stress level?
- How to use self-care strategies and seek support?
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.