AGES8025 Best Practice in Dementia Care

This topic enables students from diverse professional backgrounds to consider the care of people with dementia who exhibit behaviours of concern. A broad range of factors contributing to behaviours of concern in people with dementia are examined including brain impairment, personality, the built environment and care approach. Students will address the process of exploring individual behaviours and creative responses with a non-pharmacological approach underpinned by person-centred care in the creation of dementia friendly physical and social environments.

This topic focuses on contemporary best practice principles in recognising and addressing behaviours of concern. Students will broaden their knowledge of non-pharmacological approaches to addressing such behaviours, consider the significance of personhood to best practice in dementia care and examine ways in which the built environment, organisational structures and philosophy of care can facilitate enriched environments that meet the needs of people with dementia.

1. Assess contemporary knowledge of behaviours of concern
2. Describe the relationship between clinical conditions, brain impairment and common characteristics of living with dementia
3. Discuss the role of personality in understanding behaviours of concern
4. Distinguish between signs of ill-being and well-being
5. Compare and contrast person-centred and relationship-centred dementia care
6. Identify organisational structures that support best practice dementia care
7. Complete a life history relevant to informing person-centred dementia care
8. Assess behaviours of concern using a needs-based problem-solving approach
9. Develop individualised non-pharmacological responses to meet the needs of the person with dementia
10. Recognise the features of the physical and social environment that can impact on behaviours of concern
11. Define and describe a dementia friendly environment and how it can reduce behaviours of concern