Module 1

Understand equality, diversity and inclusion in dementia care

 

Understand and appreciate the importance of diversity of individuals with dementia

1. Explain the importance of recognising that individuals with dementia have unique needs and preferences

2. Describe ways of helping carers and others to understand that an individual with dementia has unique needs and preferences

3. Explain how values, beliefs and misunderstandings about dementia can affect attitudes towards individuals.

 

Understand the importance of person-centred approaches in the care and support of individuals with dementia

1. Describe how an individual may feel valued, included and able to engage in daily life

2. Describe how individuals with dementia may feel excluded

3. Explain the importance of including the individual in all aspects of their care.

 

Understand ways of working with a range of individuals who have dementia to ensure diverse needs are met

1. Describe how the experience of an older individual with dementia may be different from the experience of a younger individual with dementia

2. Describe what steps might be taken to gain knowledge and understanding of the needs and preferences of individuals with dementia from different ethnic origins

3. Describe what knowledge and understanding would be required to work in a person-centred way with an individual with a learning disability and dementia

 

Module 2

The person-centred approach to the care and support of individuals with dementia

 

Understand approaches that enable individuals with dementia to experience well-being

1. Describe what is meant by a person-centred approach

2. Outline the benefits of working with an individual with dementia in a person-centred manner.

 

Understand the role of carers in the care and support of individuals with dementia

1. Describe the role that carers can have in the care and support of individuals with dementia

2. Explain the value of developing a professional working relationship with carers

 

Understand the roles of others in the support of individuals with dementia

1. Describe the roles of others in the care and support of individuals with dementia

2. Explain when it may be necessary to refer to others when supporting individuals with dementia

3. Explain how to access the additional support of others when supporting individuals with dementia

 

Module 3

Understand behaviour in the context of dementia

 

Understand that behaviour is often used as a means of communication

1. Identify some of the factors that can influence and shape a person’s behaviour

2. Explain why it’s important to look for the meaning behind words and behaviour

3. Define the meaning of the term insight impairment

4. Describe how insight impairment can affect a person’s behaviour.

 

Understand how to respond to behaviours associated with dementia

1. Describe the conditions apraxia and visual agnosia

2. Define the terms delusion and hallucination

3. Outline how staff can support a person with dementia who has difficulty sleeping

4. Identify possible reasons for repetitious questions and behaviour

5. Explain how staff can support a person with dementia should they display a range of behaviours

6. Explain how staff should respond to behaviour considered inappropriate.

 

Understand why some people with dementia will need additional emotional support

1. Identify reasons why a person with dementia may become depressed

2. Explain why it’s important to treat depression and tackle its causes

3. Describe how staff can support a person with depression

4. Identify reasons why a person with dementia may become angry

5. Describe how staff should respond to a person who becomes angry

 

Module 4

Dementia Awareness

 

Understand what dementia is

1. Explain what is meant by the term dementia

2. Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia

3. Explain why depression, delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia.

 

Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia

1. Outline the medical model of dementia

2. Outline the social model of dementia

3. Explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability.

 

Know the most common types of dementia and their causes

1. List the most common causes of dementia

2. Describe the likely signs and symptoms of the most common causes of dementia

3. Outline the risk factors for the most common causes of dementia

4. Identify prevalence rates for different types of dementia.

 

Understand factors relating to an individual’s experience of dementia

1. Describe how different individuals may experience living with dementia depending on age, type of dementia, and level of ability and disability

2. Outline the impact that the attitudes and behaviours of others may have on an individual with dementia

 

Module 5

Understand the administration of medication to individuals with dementia using a person-centred approach

 

Understand the common medications available to, and appropriate for, individuals with dementia

1. Outline the most common medications used to treat symptoms of dementia

2. Describe how commonly used medications affect individuals with dementia

3. Explain the risks and benefits of anti-psychotic medication for individuals with dementia

4. Explain the importance of recording and reporting side effects/adverse reactions to medication

5. Describe how as required (PRN) medication can be used to support individuals with dementia who may be in pain

 

Understand how to provide person centred care to individuals with dementia through the appropriate and effective use of medication

1. Describe person-centred ways of administering medicines whilst adhering to administration instructions

2. Explain the importance of advocating for an individual with dementia who may be prescribed medication

 

Module 6

Understand the Benefits of Engaging in Activities in Social Care

 

Understand the impact of activity on physical and mental well-being

1. Outline the consequences of prolonged inactivity on an individual’s physical and mental state

2. Describe the ways in which the experience of an activity can be positive

3. Explain the relationship between a positive experience of an activity and physical and mental well-being

4. Describe the ways in which the experience of an activity can be negative

5. Explain the relationship between a negative experience of an activity and physical and mental ill-being.

 

Understand the social benefits of activities

1. Describe the social benefits of engaging in person-to-person activity

2. Describe the social benefits of engaging in group activity

3. Identify activity approaches that focus on social interaction

4. Explain how activity provision can be used to encourage social interaction

 

Understand how activity can be the basis for a model of care and support

1. Describe how care workers can embed activity provision into their existing role

2. Outline ways in which an activity provider can contribute to an activity-based model of care

3. Explain how carers can be supported to participate in an activity-based model of care

4. Outline ways in which activities can be used to create a team culture in a care setting

 

Module 7

Understand the factors that can influence communication and interaction with individuals who have dementia

 

Understand the factors that can influence communication and interaction with individuals who have dementia

1. Explain how dementia may influence an individual’s ability to communicate and interact

2. Identify other factors that may influence an individual’s ability to communicate and interact

3. Outline how memory impairment may affect the ability of an individual with dementia to use verbal language.

 

Understand how a person-centred approach may be used to encourage positive communication with individuals with dementia

1. Explain how to identify the communication strengths and abilities of an individual with dementia

2. Describe how to adapt the style of communication to meet the needs, strengths and abilities of an individual with dementia

3. Describe how information about an individual’s preferred methods of communication can be used to reinforce their identity and uniqueness

 

Understand the factors which can affect interactions with individuals with dementia

1. Explain how understanding an individual’s biography / history can facilitate positive interactions

2. List different techniques that can be used to facilitate positive interactions with an individual with dementia

3. Explain how involving others may enhance interaction with an individual with dementia