The Nutrition and Hydration with Dementia Training Course is specifically designed to address the unique dietary and hydration needs of individuals living with dementia. This course provides essential knowledge and practical skills for professionals working in healthcare settings, care homes, and community services to support individuals with dementia effectively. The training focuses on understanding the interplay between dementia and nutritional needs, ensuring that care plans address these needs comprehensively to improve the overall quality of life for individuals with dementia.
 
Course Content:
 
Introduction to Dementia: Overview of dementia, including its types, stages, and the impact on cognitive and physical abilities. Understanding how dementia affects eating and drinking behaviours.
Nutritional Needs in Dementia: Exploration of the specific nutritional requirements of individuals with dementia, including common deficiencies and dietary considerations.
Hydration Needs and Challenges: Understanding the importance of hydration and the challenges faced by individuals with dementia in maintaining adequate fluid intake.
Assessment and Monitoring: Techniques for assessing and monitoring nutritional and hydration status in individuals with dementia, including recognising signs of malnutrition and dehydration.
Person-Centred Care Approaches: Strategies for providing person-centred care in relation to nutrition and hydration, including tailoring care plans to individual preferences and needs.
Practical Feeding Techniques: Practical advice on effective feeding techniques and adaptations, including dealing with swallowing difficulties, promoting independence, and encouraging adequate food and fluid intake.
Creating a Supportive Environment: Designing a supportive dining environment that enhances the eating experience for individuals with dementia, including considerations for meal presentation, atmosphere, and social interaction.
Collaboration and Communication: Importance of collaboration with other healthcare professionals, family members, and carers to ensure comprehensive care and support.
Addressing Common Challenges: Strategies for addressing common challenges related to nutrition and hydration in dementia care, such as managing behavioural changes and resistance to eating and drinking.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understanding legal and ethical issues related to nutrition and hydration, including consent, capacity, and safeguarding.
 
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the Nutrition and Hydration with Dementia Training Course, participants will be able to:
 
Understand Dementia Impact: Demonstrate an understanding of how dementia affects eating and drinking behaviours and the associated nutritional and hydration challenges.
Assess Nutritional Needs: Assess and identify the specific nutritional requirements and potential deficiencies in individuals with dementia.
Monitor Hydration Status: Monitor and evaluate hydration status, recognising signs of dehydration and implementing appropriate interventions.
Apply Person-Centred Approaches: Develop and implement person-centred care plans for nutrition and hydration, tailored to the preferences and needs of individuals with dementia.
Use Effective Feeding Techniques: Employ practical feeding techniques and adaptations to address swallowing difficulties, promote independence, and enhance food and fluid intake.
Create Supportive Environments: Design and maintain a supportive dining environment that improves the eating experience and encourages adequate nutrition and hydration.
Collaborate and Communicate: Collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals, family members, and carers to ensure comprehensive support and care for individuals with dementia.
Address Challenges: Implement strategies to manage common challenges related to nutrition and hydration in dementia care, including behavioural changes and resistance.
Understand Legal and Ethical Issues: Adhere to legal and ethical considerations in nutrition and hydration care, including consent, capacity, and safeguarding.
Enhance Care Quality: Apply the knowledge and skills gained to improve the overall quality of care and support provided to individuals with dementia, ensuring their nutritional and hydration needs are met.
 
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a Nutrition and Hydration with Dementia certificate, recognising their competence in addressing the dietary and hydration needs of individuals with dementia. This certification supports their role in providing high-quality, person-centred care and contributes to their professional development in dementia care.