Caring for People with Dementia

Explore needs-led dementia assessment and diagnosis while developing person-centred approaches to care which respect individuality and personal choice. Understand neuropathology in dementia, how it affects a person’s mental, physical and emotional capacity. And learn about the broader ethical and legal issues relating to dementia.

You can also study this module as part of our BSc (Hons) Mental Health (Top-Up), designed for working mental health professionals wanting to develop their skills and knowledge.

If you have a specialist professional interest in caring for older people with dementia, or if you already work in this area, our course will enhance your understanding and skills. You’ll learn a range of care strategies to use in your practice, whether you’re a mental health nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, care assistant or other professional.

Government policy places the needs of people with dementia at the forefront of contemporary care priorities. Therefore, on this course you'll learn person-centred approaches which are underpinned by respect for individuality, personal choice and family support.

You’ll learn how changes in the brain can affect a person with dementia, and how this impacts on the way that person may think, feel and behave. You’ll consider how dementia is assessed and diagnosed.

You’ll explore the broader ethical and legal issues relating to dementia and those who care for them. You’ll consider contemporary research and policy issues, and how they inform best practice and service provision. You’ll develop your understanding of needs-led assessment within person-centred working, and how health and social care professionals work in partnership with the person, their carers, and each other.

Course content:

• overview of dementia
• pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions
• end-of-life care
• person-centred care
• perspectives of the person with dementia and their carers
• mental capacity: legal and ethical issues
• collaborative practice
• communicating with people who have dementia
• behaviour that challenges
• dementia strategies and policies
• care-setting, planning and audits.

For assessment, you'll submit a 6,000-word written assignment in the form of a case study of a person from your practice area who has been diagnosed with dementia.