Aim of the course

This course aims to help learners understand dementia and provide respectful, safe and person-centred support.

It develops awareness of how dementia can affect a person’s life, communication, relationships and wellbeing. Learners are introduced to practical approaches that promote dignity, independence, inclusion, meaningful activity and the least restrictive support.

Scope of the course

The course is designed for care workers, healthcare assistants, support workers, nurses, agency staff, volunteers, administrative teams and others who may interact with people living with dementia in health and social care settings.

It provides awareness-level knowledge covering:

1. The meaning and common types of dementia.
2. Signs, symptoms and individual experiences.
3. Person-centred communication and support.
4. Capacity, consent and decision-making.
5. Changes in behaviour and emotional expression.
6. Dementia-friendly environments.
7. Safety, safeguarding and escalation.
8. Support for families and unpaid carers.

This course does not qualify learners to diagnose dementia, conduct specialist cognitive assessments, determine capacity without following the required decision-specific process, prescribe treatment or independently change a person’s care plan.

Any sudden change in cognition, behaviour or functioning must not automatically be attributed to dementia. It may indicate delirium, infection, pain, medication effects, dehydration or another acute condition requiring prompt assessment.

Topics covered

The course covers:

1. The meaning of dementia and how it affects the brain.
2. The difference between dementia and normal ageing.
3. Common types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
4. Common cognitive, emotional, behavioural and physical changes.
5. Factors that may increase or reduce dementia risk.
6. The importance of timely assessment and diagnosis.
7. The individual experience of living with dementia.
8. Stigma, stereotypes and respectful language.
9. Person-centred care and preservation of identity.
10. Life history, relationships, culture, beliefs and personal preferences.
11. Effective verbal and non-verbal communication.
12. Supporting choice, independence and meaningful participation.
13. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its five statutory principles.
14. Decision-specific capacity, consent and best-interests decisions.
15. Behaviour as a form of communication.
16. Recognising unmet needs such as pain, fear, hunger, fatigue or overstimulation.
17. Responding to distress without confrontation or unnecessary restriction.
18. Supporting nutrition, hydration, personal care, mobility and sleep.
19. Creating supportive and dementia-friendly environments.
20. Recognising delirium and sudden deterioration.
21. Safeguarding people living with dementia.
22. Appropriate reporting, recording and escalation.
23. Supporting families, friends and unpaid carers.
24. Working consistently with the person’s care plan and multidisciplinary team.
25. Promoting wellbeing, relationships and meaningful activity.
26. Advance care planning and future wishes at an awareness level.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Define dementia and explain why it is not a normal part of ageing.
2. Identify common types of dementia.
3. Recognise common signs and symptoms while understanding that experiences vary.
4. Explain how dementia may affect communication, relationships and everyday activities.
5. Challenge stigma, stereotypes and discriminatory language.
6. Describe the principles of person-centred dementia care.
7. Recognise the person’s strengths, identity, history, preferences and remaining abilities.
8. Adapt verbal and non-verbal communication to the person’s needs.
9. Support choice, participation, independence and dignity.
10. Summarise the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
11. Explain why capacity is decision-specific and must not be judged solely because a person has dementia.
12. Recognise that behaviour may communicate an unmet physical, emotional, social or environmental need.
13. Respond appropriately to distress using calm and least restrictive approaches.
14. Identify environmental factors that may increase confusion or distress.
15. Recognise signs of delirium or sudden deterioration requiring urgent escalation.
16. Identify potential safeguarding concerns.
17. Record observations accurately and report changes promptly.
18. Explain the importance of consistent care planning and multidisciplinary working.
19. Recognise the contribution and support needs of families and unpaid carers.
20. Describe practical ways to help a person live well with dementia.

The course reflects NICE guideline NG97: Dementia—assessment, management and support, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the CQC requirements for person-centred care under Regulation 9.