Learning Gallery Resources to support people who have dementia
Awareness Level Resources
Caring for the Person with Dementia:
Underpinning knowledge for frontline workers in adult social care
Malcolm Day
Pavilion 2009
ISBN: 978-184196-255-9
Learning Gallery Code: LDGE 192
This workbook underpins the knowledge needed by frontline workers in adult social care to provide care for the person with dementia.
The chapters are based on the four main areas of the new dementia care qualifications that will appear in the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
Chapter 1: Defining dementia (defining the term; outline of the common types of dementia; signs and symptoms; how a diagnosis is made and the implications of this for the person)
Chapter 2: Supporting individuals with dementia (person centred working; common feelings and issues; support of family and friends; support networks)
Chapter 3: Caring for the person with dementia (positive and effective communication; maintaining health, safety and wellbeing; activities, therapies and medication; safeguarding vulnerable people)
Chapter 4: Roles boundaries and legal frameworks (roles, responsibilities, boundaries of carers; importance of teamwork; reporting and recording; roles of other services and organisations; legislation; No Secrets policy)
Each chapter contains useful learning activities and case studies based on current policy and research as well as a continuing professional development log( useful to evidence guided learning hours as you can be given credit for any prior learning undertaken).
The activities direct students to useful websites and Alzheimer’s society fact sheets; there are case studies, learning activities and a quiz at the end of each chapter.
Useful for new staff (the learning log and quizzes can be photocopied); as ideas for in-house and commissioned trainers leading Awareness Level training.
Ex memoria: some memories fade, others keep returning
DVD 2006
Ex memoria films in collaboration with:
Missing in Action films
University of Bradford
Wellcome Trust
Learning Gallery code: ADEL /7dvd
Ex memoria takes us into a day in the life of Eva: Putting us face to face with one person’s experience of old age.
It invites us to consider what it is like to be an old person with dementia receiving care, trying to make sense of the past and the present.
Without dictating what we should think or do, it reminds us to reflect, discuss and try to understand.
The DVD running time is 15 minutes. Time should be set afterwards for reflection and discussion.
An accompanying booklet supplies suggested discussion and a link to the ex memoria website for downloadable handouts.
Useful for Induction and more useful for established staff teams to reflect on their current service provision as part of their continuous improvement.
Alzheimers and other Dementias
Harry Clayton, Dr Nori Graham, Dr James Warner
Class Publishing 2008
ISBN 978 1 85959 148 2
Learning Gallery resource: LDGE 16
Dementia can be challenging and confusing, affecting carers, family and friends as well as the person diagnosed. This book answers 276 questions from all these people about the realities of dementia.
- Explanations about the different types and causes of dementia
- Help with practical issues of looking after someone with Alzheimers
- Details of where to go for support and advice on the legal and financial implications
- Guidance on choosing a care home: what to look for and how to prepare
- Answers to questions about possible treatments and research for the future.
Chapters include:
Practical day to day care (dressing, personal hygiene etc)
Communication and activities (memory aids, holidays)
Personal safety (wandering)
Behaviours that may cause difficulties (losing things, hallucinations, anger and aggression, sexual behaviour)
Carers emotions (loss and despair, anger and bitterness)
Sample questions:
I’m at the end of my tether. My wife has Alzheimers disease. She keeps wetting herself. Now I’m afraid to take her out. What can I do?
Why does my wife, who has Alzheimers disease, want to eat sweets and chocolate all the time?
My mother has dementia. She never use to swear but now she seems to swear all the time. It doesn’t matter who is present. What should I do?
How do you treat someone who has depression and dementia?
My husband, who has Alzheimers, is very reluctant to take a bath or shower and his personal hygiene is suffering as a result. Can you advise me please?
A useful for book families and friends of people diagnosed with dementia and for staff and managers of care homes, day centres and domiciliary care services.
Well organised so you can dip in to find help with specific questions. Written in plain English with any jargon explained in a glossary.