Description

Dementia is typically defined as a clinical syndrome of cognitive decline that is sufficiently severe to interfere with social or occupational functioning. Dementia can result from many diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Routine clinical practice shows that the cognitive and functional changes of dementia are typically accompanied by changes in behavior and in personality.

As we age, some of us have periods of time when we forget things that we should have remembered. Dementia is different from that because it affects our ability to carry out everyday routines, such as driving, managing finances, cooking, shopping, or in more severe stages, being able to feed ourselves. “Cognitively normal” individuals may occasionally forget where they put their keys; patients living with dementia frequently forget this and may even forget what keys are for.

“Assisting People Living with Dementia” is a practical educational initiative directed to educate workers who provide support to people living with dementia. In this course, Personal Support Workers and Caregivers learn how to incorporate therapeutic communication techniques; apply a person-centred approach; explore innovative method of working with older adults living with cognitive or physical impairments and develop useful strategies to respond to changed behaviours. By successfully completing this short yet intensive program, the participants will receive a formal Certificate of Attainment, will gain comprehensive knowledge about dementia; and, will be properly equipped with the skills required to confidently engage their patients.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will have a sound understanding about:

• Definition of dementia – Different types of dementia
• The course of dementia – How dementia progresses and the areas of the brain that are affected
• The nature of dementia
• The impact of dementia
• Effective communication strategies
• Purposeful and meaningful engagement
• The environment of care and a person-centred approach to support
• Changed behaviours and development of effective responses
• The protocols of care practices and reporting requirements
• The importance of community connexion and socialization for on-going health and well being

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Provide person-centred care to people living with dementia
• Cope with patient’s mood changes and responsive behaviours
• Develop individualized action plans for efficient management of responsive behaviours
• Detect signs of dementia and recognize the progression of the condition in the persons being assisted
• Develop skills to anticipate, acknowledge and successfully address responsive behaviours
• Explore the possible causes of responsive behaviours and identify supportive care strategies
• Help individuals with dementia live safely in the community
• Improve the communication methods to successfully interact with persons suffering dementia
• Interpret how changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease will affect all aspects of an individual’s life
• Provide alternative ways to improve quality of life while caring and supporting individuals living with dementia
• Recognize that challenging behaviours are responsive behaviours
• Understanding the risks associated with dementia to prioritize decision making when managing behaviours

COURSES INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:

Dementia: Education and Awareness
Communicating with People Living with Dementia
Understanding Behaviour for Better Interaction
Practical Skills for Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia

PROGRAM FORMAT:

This is a four (4) sessions program with a total of 22 hours of training. Each session lasts 5.5 hours.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

After joining the “Assisting People Living with Dementia” program, the participants will begin to see immediate results in their confidence, delivery of care services and response to work challenges. Attendees will have an advantage over non-qualified staff and will advance further into their career pathways because of their ability to take proper care of patients. Therefore, this program is suitable for PSWs and anyone who works or wants to work providing care for people living with dementia, including:

Personal Support Workers (PSW)
Caregivers
Family Caregivers
Health Care Professionals
Health Care Team Leaders
Health Care Team Supervisors
Home Health Care Workers
Home Support Workers
Individuals working in aged care
Individuals working in community care
Live-In Caregivers
Palliative Care Staff Members
Personal Care Providers
Visiting Homemakers