course handbook - care for carers · this project has been funded with support from the european...

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Course

Handbook Level 1: Supporting People Living with

Dementia

www.careforcarers.eu

http://www.careforcarers.eu/


Course Description ............................................. 3

Curriculum Materials ........................................ 4 Learning Outcomes ............................................................... 5

Assessment Materials ......................................... 5 Assessment Activities ............................................................ 6

Worksheet 1: ................................................................................................................... 6

Worksheet 2: .................................................................................................................. 10

Worksheet 3: .................................................................................................................. 12

Reflective Report: Carer Diary- Reflecting on Practice ................................................ 16

Submitting evidence for marking ...................................... 20


Course Description “Supporting People Living with Dementia” is an introductory course that will help you to

develop knowledge and understanding about the common symptoms of dementia as it

progresses. Each stage of dementia (first, second, third) is associated with a range of

common symptoms that can be handled differently. Being able to recognise the symptoms

at each stage; and to know what methods can be used to help and support your loved one,

can promote a positive and caring relationship.

As an informal caregiver, it can be challenging and stressful looking after a person with

dementia. Knowledge and understanding of symptoms and stages should help to reduce

carer fatigue and to sustain relationships.

You will be able to develop a clearer insight into the symptoms commonly linked with the

different stages of dementia, and how it can impact on the person with dementia. As an

informal caregiver, it is important that you find methods to look after yourself whilst you

care for the person with dementia. Through use of the curriculum materials on the CFC

(Care for Carers) website, you will be able to find out about ways to care for yourself.

Important Note for Learners:

Level 1: The ‘Supporting People Living with Dementia’ unit is an Endorsed Course. It does

not carry accreditation or points, but can be used to help you develop interest in this

subject area. By completing the assessment and gaining an endorsed certificate of

completion, you may move onto further advanced and recognised qualifications.


Curriculum Materials To aid completion of the assessment go to: www.careforcarers.eu.

The website has been designed (for an informal caregiver/learner) in a simplistic and

interactive way to introduce the symptoms, stages, and tips on how to care for yourself as

well as the person with dementia. Using the homepage, the informal caregiver can access

the learning content that will provide knowledge required to complete the Course Unit.

Exploring the website, you will find information about:

* Dementia stages and how to handle common symptoms

Common symptoms during the first stage of dementia include:

Disorientation, repetitiveness, communication challenges, anxiety, and forgetfulness.

Common symptoms during the second stage of dementia include:

Purposeless wandering and becoming lost, confusion with time, forgetfulness of events or

about one’s own personal history, changes in sleep patterns, personality and behavioural

changes, moods and emotions, aggression.

Common symptoms during the third stage of dementia include:

Incontinence, changes in behaviour, restricted mobility, inability to recognise people and

places, inexplicable agitations, unwillingness to move on their own, grasp reflex,

hallucinations.

* Care for Yourself

Being able to care for yourself when caring for someone with dementia is very important.

Dementia affects not only the person living with dementia, but also those who are caring

for them. It is important that you are able care for yourself. ‘Care for Yourself’ (on the CFC

website) introduces ways you can do this effectively. Each aspect of your well-being

(physical, emotional, intellectual, and social) are areas that should be considered when

you are caring for someone.

* Resources

More about dementia and the special organisations that provide support to caregivers can

be accessed in this section of the website.



Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes that can be achieved by working through the website content and

completing the assessment materials include:

1. Know what is meant by dementia

2. Know where to seek support, advice and guidance regarding dementia

3. Be able to recognize the symptoms of dementia and act on these

4. Record own activities in relation to supporting those with dementia

Assessment Materials Evidence of your learning can be demonstrated by completing 3 worksheets (shown

below) and by completing a reflective report that demonstrates your knowledge and

understanding. These assessments will provide you with a portfolio of evidence.

You should submit the portfolio directly to a recognised College or Assessment Centre (see

link below).


Assessment Activities

Note* Extend the table or spaces below, where relevant.

Complete 3 worksheets and 1 reflective report to provide evidence for completion of the

unit.

Worksheet 1: Learning outcome 1: Know what is meant by dementia

1. Outline what is meant by dementia.

2. Name 3 typical age-related changes

3. How can you recognize the changes of dementia before it is diagnosed.


4. What is the cause of dementia?

5. Name 3 different types of dementia.

6. Name 2 methods of how dementia can be diagnosed (e.g. tests).


7. Name 3 symptoms of the first stage of dementia.

8. Name 3 symptoms of the second stage of dementia.

9. Name 3 symptoms of the third stage of dementia.

10. In the first stage, mentally and emotionally, what happens to a person with dementia?


11. In the second stage, what happens cognitively to a person with dementia?

12. In the third stage, what happens physically to a person with dementia?

13. How can dementia be treated?

14. Identify 3 non-drugs treatments and/or support.


Worksheet 2: Learning Outcome 2: Know where to seek support, advice and guidance

regarding dementia

1. Where can you find information about dementia?

Choose from the following:

• Doctor

• Website

• Social media

• Specialist Dementia Nurses

• Hospital staff

• Library

• Pharmacist

• Tourist board

• None of the above

• All of the above

2. Where can I get help after diagnosis?


3. What specific support organisations can provide help for those living with

dementia and/or caregivers? What types of service do they offer?


Worksheet 3: Learning outcome 3: Be able to recognize the symptoms of dementia and

act on these

Task 1:

A- Go to the website careforcarers.eu and identify the stages of dementia.

B- Name three symptoms from each stage

C- Identify three ways to handle each symptom


Task 2: Case Study Sally

Review each part of the case study and answer the questions below

Case Study Part 1:

A- What stage of dementia is Sally at?

B- What symptoms is Sally showing at this stage?

C- How would you handle the stage and symptom?

Sally and Harry are shopping at their usual supermarket. It is really busy in the

supermarket. Sally is about to leave without paying and her husband asks her ‘what

are you doing?’ she replies, ‘I am going home.’ She walks out of the supermarket in the

wrong direction.

Write your answers here:


Case Study Part 2:




Sally goes to bed at 8PM. At 2 AM she gets up to go for a walk and puts her clothes on.

Her husband asks her what she is doing. She says she has to get out of bed to make

breakfast for her children. She says they have to go to school.

Write your answers here:


Case Study Part 3:




Sally has been spending most of her time in her chair. She no longer has the initiative to stand up, walk, or start a conversation. Write your answers here: :


Reflective Report: Carer Diary- Reflecting on Practice

As an informal caregiver it is important that you reflect on your previous experiences

with those you care for. Reflection is an important activity as you can think about

factors that may have had an impact on your experience, as well as strategies that

could be used in the future if you face a similar situation.

Reflection can help you to develop new skills whilst participating in activities for

those you care for. A number of models to guide your reflection have been developed;

the most popular model was developed by Gibbs in 1998. The diagram below shows

how you can structure your reflection process:


When caring for someone with dementia you will face many new situations. You may

be unsure how to handle such situations and, on reflection, you may wish you had

handled them differently.

Using the website- www.careforcarers.eu - you can access supportive information

which will increase your knowledge about the different stages of dementia; such as

the symptoms and effective methods to help you manage the situation. This website

will help you during your reflections, especially following a specific experience or

situation.

Using the template below, reflect on an experience you have had when caring for

someone with dementia. Please be careful NOT to include real/actual names of the

individual you are thinking of.



State date of experience:________________________________

State stage of dementia (if known, otherwise leave blank):

Describe the experience or situation – what happened?

Feelings – what were you thinking and feeling at the time?

Evaluation – what was good and bad about the experience?


Analysis – what sense can you make of the situation? (Review the content on the website to help you to make sense of what was happening. List the symptoms that the individual may have been experiencing.)

Conclusion – what else could you have done? (Using the website content to help, think about the ways in which the symptoms could have been handled)

Action Plan – If you were faced with a similar situation, describe how you could manage it better


Submitting evidence for marking

In order to gain a certificate for completion of the course, your work should be marked by

assessors from a recognised assessment centre.

You should note that there will be a small fee to register and enrol onto the course.

To find out more, contact the North West Regional College, in Derry/Londonderry

(Northern Ireland, UK): www.nwrc.ac.uk

Organisations involved in the publication of this assessment booklet:

http://www.nwrc.ac.uk/

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