Dementia support worker course

Lesson 1 • Impact on the Whole Person

Addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual effects of dementia on the individual. Frames dementia as a whole-person condition requiring holistic support.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Dementia as a Condition

Defines dementia, distinguishes it from normal aging, and introduces key terminology. Provides the conceptual baseline for all subsequent clinical content.

Lesson 3 • How Dementia Affects the Brain

Explains neurological mechanisms including plaques, tangles, and neurotransmitter loss. Links brain changes to observable symptoms workers encounter daily.

Lesson 4 • Stages and Progression of Dementia

Maps early, middle, and late-stage dementia across cognitive and functional domains. Enables workers to anticipate changing care needs over time.

Lesson 1 • Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivity

Addresses how culture, religion, and personal beliefs shape care preferences. Workers adapt their approach to honor diverse backgrounds and values.

Lesson 2 • Core Values of Person-Centered Care

Introduces dignity, respect, individuality, and rights as foundational care values. Anchors all practical skills in an ethical commitment to the whole person.

Lesson 3 • Relationship-Based Care in Practice

Develops consistent, trust-based relationships between workers and people with dementia. Demonstrates how continuity of care reduces anxiety and improves outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Life History and Personal Biography

Teaches workers to gather and use life history to inform care planning. Connects personal biography to meaningful daily interactions and activity choices.

Lesson 1 • How Dementia Affects Communication

Explains language loss, word-finding difficulties, and reduced comprehension over time. Prepares workers to adapt their communication style to changing abilities.

Lesson 2 • Active Listening and Validation

Introduces validation therapy principles and empathic listening techniques. Helps workers respond to emotional content rather than factual accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Communication Aids and Adaptations

Explores visual cues, memory books, picture boards, and assistive technology. Extends communication capacity for people with advanced language impairment.

Lesson 4 • Nonverbal and Sensory Communication

Teaches use of body language, facial expression, touch, and tone of voice. Reinforces verbal messages and maintains connection when words fail.

Lesson 1 • Nutrition, Hydration, and Mealtimes

Addresses eating difficulties, swallowing risks, and creating positive mealtime environments. Links adequate nutrition to cognitive and physical health outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Sleep, Rest, and Daily Routines

Examines sleep disturbances common in dementia and routine-based interventions. Consistent daily structure reduces disorientation and behavioral symptoms.

Lesson 3 • Personal Care and Hygiene Support

Covers bathing, dressing, oral care, and continence support with a dignity focus. Addresses resistance to care and strategies for a calm, cooperative approach.

Lesson 4 • Mobility, Falls, and Safe Movement

Teaches safe moving and handling techniques adapted for dementia-related gait changes. Reduces fall risk while preserving the person's mobility and confidence.

Lesson 1 • Hallucinations, Delusions, and Paranoia

Covers perceptual disturbances common in Lewy body and late-stage dementia. Workers respond safely without reinforcing or dismissing the person's experience.

Lesson 2 • Depression, Apathy, and Withdrawal

Distinguishes depression and apathy from dementia progression and each other. Workers use engagement strategies and recognize when clinical referral is needed.

Lesson 3 • Wandering and Spatial Disorientation

Explains why wandering occurs and how to create safe, enabling environments. Balances freedom of movement with risk management and dignity.

Lesson 4 • Agitation, Aggression, and Anxiety

Identifies causes of agitation and aggression and teaches de-escalation techniques. Protects both the person with dementia and the support worker during incidents.

Lesson 1 • Infection Prevention and Control

Applies standard precautions, hand hygiene, and PPE use in dementia care settings. Reduces infection risk for a population with compromised immune responses.

Lesson 2 • Medication Awareness and Administration

Covers common dementia medications, side effects, and safe administration principles. Workers understand their role boundaries and reporting responsibilities.

Lesson 3 • Observation, Recording, and Reporting

Develops accurate documentation habits and clear escalation pathways. Ensures continuity of care and accountability across the care team.

Lesson 4 • Recognizing Physical Health Changes

Teaches observation of pain, infection, dehydration, and other health indicators. Links physical changes to behavioral shifts common in people with dementia.

Lesson 1 • Safeguarding Adults from Abuse

Identifies types of abuse, neglect, and exploitation affecting people with dementia. Workers recognize indicators and follow correct reporting and referral procedures.

Lesson 2 • Mental Capacity and Consent

Explains mental capacity assessment principles and best-interest decision-making. Workers apply these concepts to daily care decisions and documentation.

Lesson 3 • Deprivation of Liberty and Restraint

Covers lawful and unlawful restriction of movement and the authorization process. Workers distinguish between protective restriction and unlawful deprivation of liberty.

Lesson 4 • Duty of Care and Professional Boundaries

Defines duty of care, negligence risk, and appropriate professional boundaries. Workers understand accountability and the limits of their role.

Lesson 1 • Recognizing Advanced Dementia Needs

Identifies the physical and cognitive markers of advanced dementia and dying. Workers adjust care goals from curative to comfort-focused approaches.

Lesson 2 • Advance Care Planning and Wishes

Explains advance directives, preferred place of death, and do-not-resuscitate decisions. Workers ensure documented wishes are honored and communicated across the team.

Lesson 3 • Palliative and Comfort Care Principles

Covers pain and symptom management, oral care, and positioning for comfort. Applies palliative principles to reduce suffering in the final stage of life.

Lesson 4 • Supporting Families Through Dying

Equips workers to communicate sensitively with families during the dying process. Addresses anticipatory grief, vigil support, and immediate bereavement needs.