Detailed Description

With such a vast subject this short course can only introduce the essential elements of this increasingly prevalent, disabling condition.We will explore the brain and it's influence upon behaviour. We will gain an overview of how the brain works - an essential element to understanding all the dementias . All the main form of dementia will be discussed and main symptoms or functional problems highlighted, actual case studies being used.We will also concentrate upon " Person Centred Care " as Kitwood called it, thereby understanding the very important role of the carers attitude and how this can influence the whole experience of dementia.

Supplementary Information

Alzheimer’s Society Report Highlights Need For Training

(Excerpts of the following report is courtesy of www.healthcarebiweekly.com)

“The experience of carers reported here to tell us that it is the people delivering that care that matter - so why are so many under trained and underpaid? Providing good dementia care is a highly skilled job and should be treated as such.” Tony Robinson, Home from Home, Alzheimer’s Society

The Alzheimer’s Society report, Home from Home: Quality of care for people with Dementia living in care homes, has highlighted training as being one of the most important areas that needs to be tackled, if quality care is to be delivered to those who have dementia.This call is not just an echo of relatives and friends of those with loved ones in care, but also from the care staff themselves.The Alzheimer’s Society surveyed carers, care home managers and care home staff for the report and it was found that:

•  61% of the care staff respondents, felt that more one day training courses would improve their skills in caring for people with dementia
• Asked what would encourage them to improve their skills, 81% of care staff said being able to provide even better care to residents with dementia would do this.
• From a care home managers perspective, the two biggest challenges in providing good dementia, care were attracting care staff with the right skills (60%) and funding training (46%).

In its recommendation for action, the report calls for training in dementia care to become mandatory for all care staff and that the training must:

• Be supported by a commitment from Government to provide adequate funding through simple to access sources.
• Be recognized and supported by the regulation andinspection system.
• Be supported by a carer structure and linked to pay
• Be supported by a programme of support and effective management to ensure implementation
• Help care staff to understand what a difference the care they provide can make to the quality of life and residents with dementia.

The report raises concerns about the current training requirements for dementia, as over two thirds of care home residents have some form of dementia.The society points out that there is some inconsistency in the standards used by CSCI for the required level of dementia training in a home, and there are no clear standards with regard to dementia training.The society would like to see the development of national standards for dementia care training for care home staff that ensures the workforce is equipped to meet the needs of those with dementia.Given that the number of people with dementia is growing, and predicted to rise at a faster rate, this, the society feels, is why the matter is urgent, to ensure that there are enough staff with the required knowledge and skills meet demand.The report also stresses that the need for training to be a continuous.Programme of training and development, rather that just a ‘one-off’ course. Regular supervision is identified as a particularly useful tool in this respect, as it can give positive reinforcement to formal courses as well as being a means of ensuring that the homes guidelines on dementia are being followed.This, of course, leads to the need for good management as part of the whole care process.

“Good standards and person-centered care (both nursing, social-activity, quality of life etc and with relatives) has to come from the home management and flow down!”

The report states that a good management style that supports staff to be involved in all aspects of their work is important in improving outcomes for residents. The society recommends a very hands on approach to management, which has shown to be appreciated by staff, residents and relatives.Overall the report says that all aspects of staffing policy must be geared toward quality, from recruitment through induction, training and supervision, as well as maintaining staffing levels that meet the needs of the residents with dementia.There is, of course, the problem of financing all of this – hopefully the department of health will take heed of the report and find the much needed funds to improve the dementia care.