Alzheimer’s Society Live Training

General Dementia Awareness Training (half day or full day)

Dementia awareness training is a skills-based course suitable for anyone who would like to improve their knowledge and understanding of dementia. This course will cover: The signs and symptoms of dementia,  how dementia affects behaviour, the senses and communication, how to build positive relationships with people affected by dementia using increased knowledge, empathy and practical skills.

​

Responding to Distressed Behaviour (full day)

Develop your knowledge and skills in responding to challenging situations with empathy and respect. This course focuses on behaviour as a form of communication and equips attendees with the skills to recognise certain behaviours in people with dementia and their associated triggers.

​

Meaningful engagement with people living with dementia (half day virtual, full day face-to-face)

Taking part in activities, including everyday tasks, can have powerful benefits for the physical and mental wellbeing of people living with dementia. You will explore the benefits and importance of engaging people with dementia in meaningful activity and how to create opportunities for person-centred activities such as reminiscence. You will also identify how the symptoms of dementia can impact participation and other barriers that people with dementia and carers may experience when engaging in activities.

Improving Pain Management for people with dementia  (full day)

This course follows on from our dementia awareness training. Research has highlighted that people with dementia are at higher risk of experiencing unmanaged pain. This course provides participants with the evidence and understanding as well as practical tools to enable them to assess pain in people with dementia and overcome barriers to pain management.

Understanding Dementia and Delirium (half day)

Learners will find out about delirium and the symptoms associated with, it as well as understanding the difference between dementia and delirium. The course will explain how to support people experiencing delirium in primary and secondary care which learners can apply to practice.

Dementia and Hearing Loss (half day)

Hearing loss can be more common as people get older.  For a person with dementia, this can cause extra problems.  This course aims to provide information about dementia, hearing loss and deafness and to improve knowledge and understanding of how to support people and improve communication and quality of life.

Supporting People with Advanced Dementia (half day)

*Delegates are required to attend Dementia Awareness Training before this course.

This session looks at the changes a person will experience in advanced dementia. Participants will explore issues around well-being and quality of life through this period.

Dementia awareness training for GPs (half day)

To understand how dementia may affect a person’s visit to the GP and how best to support the individual through the process. This three hour workshop will enable participants to recognise how dementia affects not only the person who lives with it but also the wider impact on family and friends. Examining how dementia affects the brain will enable participants to recognise the need to use alternative approaches when connecting with and supporting an individual as well as recognising effective communication techniques.

Supporting customers with dementia over the phone (half day)

*Pre-course requirements: Participants will be asked to read pre-course learning information regarding the four main types of dementia.

This introductory course will enable participants to understand the unique ways that dementia affects people. Delegates will be enabled to develop a deeper empathy and understanding and gain the tools they need to be able to communicate effectively over the phone with people living with dementia.

Improving the customer experience for people with dementia (half day)

*Pre-course requirements: Delegates are required to read a short dementia factsheet ahead of the training, which will be provided by Alzheimer's Society.

This course is designed to enable people who interact with customers, either on the phone or in a face to face setting, to feel more confident and skilled in their approach to communicating with people with dementia. You will learn about dementia and how the condition affects communication, visuospatial skills and decision making. The course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently support people with dementia and other vulnerable customers.

​

Reducing your risk (half day)

850,000 people live with dementia in the UK and this figure is set to rise. The costs of dementia are estimated to be over £26bn a year. Dementia is a life limiting illness, and is the most feared diagnosis among people over the age of 55yrs, but managing known risk factors could reduce numbers in the future.  

This course will enable participants to gain a better understanding of dementia and what some of the risk factors of developing dementia are. The course will focus on the changes to lifestyle that can influence these risks and how we might be able to change these.

Supporting people with dementia to remain active (half day)

Remaining active plays a vital role in increasing physical and mental well-being for people living with dementia. This interactive course will enable leisure organisations , community groups and volunteers to develop and deliver dementia-friendly activities. Delegates will learn about the barriers that people living with dementia, their family and carers experience  to participating in physical  activities  and understand how environments such as leisure centres, pools and outdoor recreational  spaces may be experience  by people living with dementia.

Supporting people with dementia in the housing sector (full day)

A key element affecting the quality of life for someone with dementia is the place in which they live. As such, it is vital that housing providers understand dementia and how the condition affects the everyday lives of those affected. Our specialist training is tailored to settings such as extra-care and assisted living housing developments, retirement villages and sheltered housing schemes.

​

Dementia awareness for emergency staff (half day)

This half day workshop is suitable for all blue light services and other services such as search and rescue teams. It will provide an understanding of dementia and the problems that may be experienced by people with dementia in emergency situations and to provide insight to support staff in their work.

Dementia awareness for staff working in transport (half day)

This half day workshop provides an understanding of dementia and the problems that may be experienced  by people with dementia using transport services such as trains, buses, planes and ferries. The course equips staff working within the transport sector with the knowledge and skills to confidently support people with dementia to use their services.

Supporting people with dementia and other vulnerabilities  (full day)

This course will equip learners with the knowledge and skills to recognise people living with dementia and other vulnerabilities, including learning difficulties, down syndrome, autism and mental health problems. This course will define the differences between the range of conditions  and how the symptoms can affect a persons communication and behaviour. It will provide delegates with the confidence to recognise vulnerabilities, communicate appropriately  and provide support, including understanding of the mental capacity act.

Dementia awareness training for solicitors (half day)

This introductory course will enable participants to understand the unique ways that dementia affects people and how it can impact on everyday life, including how to apply evidence based practical tools for building positive and inclusive relationships with clients with dementia.

Dementia awareness for staff working in prisons (half day)

This half day workshop will enable staff to identify needs of prisoners living with dementia. The course looks at how the brain works and how the changes dementia brings might affect behaviour. Participants will be given the skills and confidence to recognise when a prisoner might have dementia, how best to communicate with the person and how other mental health conditions might cause further complexities.

Retaining staff caring for a person with dementia (half day)

It is estimated that 51% of family carers who care for a person living with dementia are in employment . This course explores some of the  challenges  that carers face when supporting a family member living with dementia and how employers can support a person to manage their work and caring commitments

Introduction to dementia for GP practices (two hours)

This two-hour introductory course will help GP staff to understand dementia, how the symptoms can affect communication, behaviour and a person's experience of the physical environment. Delegates will also learn communication techniques to effectively engage with people living with dementia.

Dementia awareness for dental practices (half day)

This skills-based course enables dental professionals to confidently support people with dementia. The course is tailored to the interactions that dental professionals have with people affected by dementia on a daily basis. 

Improving communication with people living with dementia (half day)

This course explores the principles of communication, including the challenges and complexities we all encounter when communicating. We will also identify how dementia can impact a persons ability to communicate and the additional challenges this creates. Delegates will learn strategies and skills to overcome these challenges and effectively communicate with people living with dementia, including verbal and non- verbal communication.

Understanding capacity and supporting choices (half day)

This half day course gives participants  insight into mental capacity related legislation. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of choice and ensuring people are best supported in making their own life choices. The course reinforces delegates understanding of person-centred care and the holistic approach to the best interest decisions.

GP Information Session

This 1-hour, information session is designed to improve your understanding of dementia and how to support patients affected by the condition in a GP Practice. We will explore the benefits of an early diagnosis and how attitudes and stigma towards dementia can affect assessment and diagnosis. This session also examines the impact that dementia can have on a patients behaviour and communication skills and how the symptoms can affect a persons experience in a GP Practice. 

Learning outcomes:

• Recognise some of the behaviours and communication difficulties that a patient with dementia may experience
• Identify practical way you can support patients affected by dementia in your Practice
• List the benefits that a timely assessment and diagnosis of dementia can have for a patient 

​