The Dementia Advanced Training Course is designed for healthcare professionals and carers who wish to deepen their understanding of dementia and enhance their skills in providing high-quality care to individuals living with this condition. This advanced course delves into complex aspects of dementia, including advanced symptoms, multidisciplinary approaches to care, and strategies for managing challenging behaviours. It aims to equip participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills necessary for delivering person-centred care and supporting individuals with dementia and their families effectively.
 
Course Content:
 
Understanding Advanced Dementia:
Overview of advanced stages of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Detailed exploration of complex symptoms and their impact on daily living and quality of life.
Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis:
Techniques for assessing individuals with advanced dementia, including the use of diagnostic tools and assessment scales.
Understanding differential diagnoses and recognising coexisting conditions.
Person-Centred Care Approaches:
Advanced strategies for implementing person-centred care in the context of advanced dementia.
Techniques for creating personalised care plans and adapting care environments to meet individual needs.
Managing Challenging Behaviours:
Approaches for managing challenging behaviours associated with advanced dementia, such as agitation, aggression, and wandering.
Use of non-pharmacological interventions and behavioural strategies to address and reduce challenging behaviours.
Communication Techniques:
Advanced communication techniques for interacting with individuals with advanced dementia.
Strategies for enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication and using supportive communication aids.
Multidisciplinary and Family Collaboration:
The role of the multidisciplinary team in dementia care, including healthcare professionals, social workers, and therapists.
Effective collaboration with families and caregivers, including providing support, education, and guidance.
Ethical and Legal Considerations:
Ethical issues in advanced dementia care, including decision-making capacity, consent, and end-of-life considerations.
Understanding legal frameworks and responsibilities related to dementia care.
Innovations in Dementia Care:
Exploration of current research and innovations in dementia care, including emerging therapies and technologies.
Application of evidence-based practices to improve care outcomes.
Practical Skills Session:
Hands-on practice with case studies and role-playing scenarios to apply advanced care strategies.
Techniques for developing and implementing care plans, managing challenging behaviours, and enhancing communication.
 
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the Dementia Advanced Training Course, participants will be able to:
 
Understand Advanced Dementia: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of advanced stages of dementia and the complex symptoms associated with them.
Perform Advanced Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments using appropriate diagnostic tools and recognise coexisting conditions.
Implement Person-Centred Care: Develop and implement advanced person-centred care plans tailored to the individual needs of those with advanced dementia.
Manage Challenging Behaviours: Apply effective strategies for managing and reducing challenging behaviours through non-pharmacological interventions and behavioural techniques.
Enhance Communication: Utilise advanced communication techniques to improve interactions with individuals with advanced dementia and support their communication needs.
Collaborate Effectively: Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with families to provide comprehensive support and care.
Navigate Ethical and Legal Issues: Address ethical and legal considerations in dementia care, including consent, decision-making, and end-of-life issues.
Apply Innovations in Care: Integrate current research and innovations into practice to enhance dementia care and improve patient outcomes.
Demonstrate Practical Competence: Apply knowledge and skills in practical scenarios, including care planning, behaviour management, and communication.
 
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Dementia Advanced Training certificate, reflecting their expertise in advanced dementia care and their ability to deliver high-quality, person-centred support in clinical settings.