Dementia: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behavior

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The symptoms of dementia vary (depending on the cause and the individual), but often include memory loss, mood changes, communication and motivation problems, a reduced ability to plan and problems with controlling their own behavior. Some symptoms, such as restlessness, agitation and communication difficulties, can be challenging for you as a carer, and this can cause you high levels of stress and burden. The free online course “Dementia: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour” will help you learn more about managing challenging behavior in people with dementia. The course provides an overview of Dementia, looking at prevalence, diagnosis and symptoms, and the concept of ‘Patient Centred Care’.The course uses a case study to look at how a holistic assessment can help carers work with behaviors which are often difficult for carers. The problems of communication and dementia are discussed and how de-escalation can help address challenging situations.

Dementia: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour – Course Content

If you are a carer looking after a family member with dementia in your own home or a professional working with people with dementia, this free online course will help you better understand the person and develop the skills needed to manage their challenging behavior.

The course includes the following topics:

The prevalence, symptoms, and diagnosis of dementia from a global perspective;
Discussions and learning forums which are designed to help carers and other people involved in caregiving deliver appropriate interventions for people with dementia;
How effective communication skills can assist in managing and maintaining relationships with people with dementia, their carers and other people involved in caregiving;
Strategies that may potentially help carers, and other people involved in caregiving, with issues involving food and meals for people with dementia;
Strategies that may potentially help carers, and other people involved in caregiving, with issues around people with dementia wandering;
The use of ‘De-escalation skills’ when providing care for people with dementia.

Summary of Main Course Features

Educators: Christopher Wagstaff and Nutmeg Hallett
Created by: The University of Birmingham – a public research university, consistently listed as a leading UK university and ranked among the top 100 in the world.
Duration: 3 weeks x 3 hours per week
Start Date: 12 June 2017