Dementia Awareness

Training overview

This course develops the knowledge needed to understand dementia and how it may affect a person’s memory, thinking, communication, emotions, behaviour and daily life. Learners will explore different types of dementia, recognise possible changes and respond without making assumptions or attempting to diagnose. The course promotes person-centred communication, dignity, choice, independence, rights and meaningful involvement. It also explains how to recognise concerns, provide appropriate support and report or escalate changes according to the person’s care plan and workplace procedures.

This scope reflects the NHS position that dementia is not a natural part of ageing and affects more than memory, alongside established person-centred dementia-care principles. NHS: What is dementia?

Course purpose

To give health and social care workers the knowledge and practical awareness needed to support people living with dementia safely, respectfully and as individuals. The course will challenge stigma, promote person-led care and help learners respond appropriately to changes in communication, behaviour, health, wellbeing and support needs.

Target audience

This course is suitable for:

1. Care assistants and senior care assistants
2. Healthcare assistants and clinical support workers
3. Support workers and personal assistants
4. Domiciliary and community care workers
5. Supported-living staff
6. Registered nurses requiring dementia refresher learning
7. Activity coordinators
8. Domestic, catering, reception and other staff who interact with people living with dementia
9. Agency staff, volunteers and new starters
10. Supervisors and managers requiring foundational refresher training

Course level

Awareness and foundational practice level

The course will cover the baseline Tier 1 outcomes and selected Tier 2 outcomes relevant to workers who provide direct care or support. This is appropriate because the updated Dementia Training Standards Framework 2026 identifies Tier 1 as the baseline for anyone who may interact with people living with dementia and Tier 2 for those providing direct care or services. Dementia Training Standards Framework 2026

It would be inaccurate to claim that an online knowledge course alone demonstrates complete Tier 2 occupational competence. Practical performance must be assessed separately by the employer where the worker’s role requires it.

Course scope

The course will cover:

1. What dementia means and how it affects people differently
2. Common types and causes of dementia
3. Possible signs, symptoms and progression
4. Dementia, normal ageing, depression and delirium
5. Young-onset dementia
6. Myths, stereotypes, stigma and discriminatory assumptions
7. Dementia risk reduction and brain health
8. Person-led and person-centred support
9. Identity, life history, culture, beliefs and relationships
10. Communication and reasonable adjustments
11. Distress, behaviour and unmet needs
12. Independence, choice, strengths and positive risk-taking
13. Dementia-friendly environments
14. Physical health, pain, nutrition, hydration, sleep and personal care
15. Medicines awareness within the learner’s role
16. Families, carers and supporters as partners
17. Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights
18. Mental capacity, consent and least-restrictive practice
19. Safeguarding and recognising improper treatment
20. Observation, recording, reporting and escalation
21. Supporting changing and advanced needs
22. Awareness of end-of-life dementia care
23. Sources of advice, support and further learning

Limits of the course

This course will not qualify learners to:

1. Diagnose dementia or determine its clinical subtype
2. Perform diagnostic or cognitive assessments independently
3. Prescribe, review or alter medication
4. complete formal mental-capacity assessments unless authorised, trained and competent within their role
5. Use restraint or restrictive interventions without lawful authority, training and appropriate assessment
6. Deliver specialist behavioural, psychological, nursing or end-of-life interventions
7. Replace individual care plans, risk assessments, employer procedures or supervised practice

Learning outcomes

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

1. Define dementia and explain why it is not a natural or inevitable part of ageing.
2. Identify common types of dementia and describe how symptoms and progression may differ between individuals.
3. Recognise possible signs of dementia while understanding that similar changes may have other causes.
4. Distinguish gradual dementia-related changes from sudden deterioration that may indicate delirium or another urgent health concern.
5. Challenge myths, stigma, age-related assumptions and discriminatory language associated with dementia.
6. Explain how dementia may affect memory, thinking, communication, emotions, perception, movement and daily activities.
7. Describe evidence-based actions that may reduce the risk or delay the onset of some types of dementia without claiming that dementia can always be prevented.
8. Apply person-led principles that protect identity, dignity, choice, relationships, strengths and independence.
9. Adapt verbal and non-verbal communication to the person’s abilities, preferences, language and processing needs.
10. Consider distress or changes in behaviour as possible communication of pain, fear, discomfort, environmental stress or another unmet need.
11. Identify ways the physical and social environment can improve orientation, comfort, participation and safety.
12. Support nutrition, hydration, mobility, personal care, sleep, meaningful activity and general wellbeing within the worker’s role.
13. Explain how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 applies to decision-specific capacity, consent, supported decision-making and least-restrictive practice.
14. Recognise potential safeguarding concerns, including neglect, discrimination, inappropriate restriction and organisational abuse.
15. Work appropriately with families, carers, supporters and advocates while respecting the person’s wishes, rights and confidentiality.
16. Observe, document and report changes accurately, including when urgent escalation is required.
17. Recognise the worker’s professional boundaries and identify appropriate dementia information, support and referral routes.

The emphasis on individualised care, involvement, reasonable adjustments and supported decision-making also reflects Regulation 9 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. CQC Regulation 9: Person-centred care