What Is Dementia Course

What Is Dementia – Online Course

Course overview
This introductory Level 1 online course provides practical dementia awareness for people working with or supporting individuals living with dementia. Learners explore what dementia is, the different types of dementia, the brain and the effects dementia can have on individuals, families and caregivers. The course also covers the Mental Capacity Act, good communication techniques and support for families. It takes approximately one hour and is CPD accredited.

Please note: This is an introductory Level 1 course providing dementia awareness and knowledge-based training. It does not replace any practical, role-specific or regulated dementia care training that an employer may require.

What the course covers
• What dementia is
• The Mental Capacity Act
• Understanding the brain
• Types of dementia
• Good communication techniques
• Supporting families

Who is it for?
The course is suitable for healthcare and social care professionals who may work with people living with dementia, and for others who support them. It is appropriate for:
• Care assistants, support workers, domiciliary care workers and residential care staff
• Nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and social workers
• Care home and day-centre staff
• Community workers and volunteers
• Emergency responders and first aid providers
• Family carers and informal caregivers

The introductory format makes it suitable for induction, refresher training, professional development and general workplace knowledge enhancement.

Practical benefits
• Recognise different types and common symptoms of dementia
• Communicate more effectively with people living with dementia
• Apply respectful and person-centred approaches in everyday interactions
• Understand how dementia can affect families and caregivers
• Recognise the relevance of mental capacity when supporting people with dementia
• Gain a CPD-accredited certificate for professional development

What learners will be able to do
• Explain how dementia can affect cognition and daily living
• Recognise changes in communication, memory and behaviour
• Understand the importance of person-centred care
• Adapt communication to individual needs
• Support independence, choice and meaningful participation
• Recognise environmental factors that can affect wellbeing
• Respond appropriately to distress or changes in presentation
• Promote dignity, safety and respectful support

Is this training a legal requirement?
No general UK law states that every employee must complete a specific dementia awareness course. However, employers are responsible for ensuring staff have appropriate training, support and competence for the duties they perform. For regulated providers in England, Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires staff to receive appropriate training and professional development necessary for their roles. NICE guidance on dementia includes recommendations on staff training and education, and the Department of Health and Social Care’s common core principles for supporting people with dementia provide a recognised workforce-development framework. Whether training is required for a particular role therefore depends on the workplace, responsibilities, service-user needs and employer requirements. There is no single UK-wide statutory interval for repeating dementia awareness training.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online multiple-choice test. After successfully completing the assessment, they can download a CPD-accredited digital certificate straight away. The course is delivered online with instant access, so it can be studied on a phone, tablet or computer at the learner’s own pace.