Dementia : Understanding the Journey
No two people experience dementia in the same way, and there is no singular approach to supporting people living with dementia. The course provides a range of information that should be used to support and enhance the learner’s approach. Each of the sessions leads into the next, supporting the care practices collaboratively and collectively.
The session addressing behaviours is situated toward the end of the course. In doing so, we want the learner, as a care provider, to understand that if they approach care for people with dementia in ways that are appropriate and meaningful for them, they can reduce the potential for, or eliminate, behaviours that are difficult to understand.
Earlier sessions provide the information to set up relationships, approaches, and environments that best meet the needs of the person living with dementia. As the course progresses, tools and approaches are offered to assist the learner in recognizing when to change their own perceptions and approach. The program finishes with a session dedicated to the learner as the care provider and their role within a care team, as well as barriers they may encounter.
Dementia: Understanding the Journey offers its learners:
27 hours theory / interaction
A holistic, person-centered philosophy for understanding dementia
Strategies to maintain a balance between offering support and encouraging independence
Strategies to maintain a person’s identity, dignity, and self-esteem
Strategies to provide quality care using an interdisciplinary team approach
Tools to assist in understanding and responding to behaviours
The methods and processes involved in information gathering, problem solving, intervention, and ongoing evaluation using U-First! ® Wheel a Collaborative Care Tool and other tools
