What you will need
Students must have access to a computer with a broadband internet connection.
This e-learning course has been developed for anyone who is new to, will soon be involved in, or is currently involved in caring for someone with dementia, whether within the family or as a professional, either at home or as part of a team in a residential facility.
Learners will find out about the meaning of the term dementia, its causes and the possible effects the condition may have on people as it progresses. The course also looks at the importance of good communication and interaction between carers and the people they support and identifies strategies for coping with challenging behaviour.
Unit 1: An introduction to the course.
Unit 2: Defines the term ‘dementia’ and identifies its main causes. You will look at the different stages involved in the condition and identify the types of care that a person might need at each stage. The unit concludes by considering why tracking the progression of the condition is so important for everyone concerned.
Unit 3: Looks at why good communication between the carer and a person with dementia has such a positive impact on every aspect of the latter’s daily life, and provides pointers for improving communication skills in different situations with people at different stages of the condition. The guidance in this unit is useful to anyone who is about to take on (or has recently taken on) a caring role at home or in a residential facility.
Unit 4: Begins by looking at creating a safe environment for people with dementia and goes on to identify key principles of personal care and provides tips for applying good practice while carrying out daily tasks. This unit enables learners to approach their responsibilities confidently and to employ safe and effective ways of caring for people with dementia.
Unit 5: Identifies the kinds of challenging behaviour that carers need to be prepared for when caring for someone with dementia. It looks at possible causes and suggests ways of coping in different situations, and enables learners to deploy suitable strategies to reduce the impact of – or even prevent – the types of behaviour discussed.
Unit 6: Explores different ways of helping people with dementia to keep busy and stimulated, and to enjoy life for as long as possible. This is relatively straightforward in the early to middle stages of the disease, but can often present challenges to carers in the later stages. This unit concludes by providing learners with guidance on identifying suitable activities and types of exercise which people in their care will enjoy and which will help them remain physically and mentally active.
Unit 7: Looks at how people’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs change as dementia progresses. It also explains the importance of looking after yourself when caring for other people. This unit enables learners to determine whether people in their care are in pain, discomfort or distress after they have lost the ability to express these directly. It also enables learners to provide suitable and effective care through the last stages of a person’s life with the help of medical and nursing staff.
Previous knowledge or experience would be of benefit but is not essential.
Students must have access to a computer with a broadband internet connection.
This course will require you to manage your workload independently, with a basic level of tutor support.
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If you are eligible for Fee Waiver then you must complete this application form and supply the relevant fee waiver documents to one of the campuses listed below. Some courses are not eligible for fee waiver applications. For further information please contact our Student Advice Centre.
Student Advice Centre
North East Scotland College
Aberdeen City Campus
Gallowgate
Aberdeen AB25 1BN
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North East Scotland College
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Aberdeen City Campus
Gallowgate
Aberdeen
Scotland
UK AB25 1BN
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