Dementia Awareness

Know the most common types of dementia.

Indicative Content

Learners need to have a basic understanding of the most common types of dementia for example: Alzheimer's disease, Vascular Dementia and the ‘Mixed Dementia’ (which is both vascular and Alzheimer's).They will know that the term dementia is used to describe a wide range of symptoms associated with the memory loss and other skills that affect the way a person can perform day-to-day activities.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Identify the most common types of dementia.

Know the signs and symptoms of common types of dementia.

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Learner will understand that Dementia is not a single illness, but a group of symptoms caused by damage to the brain.

Signs and symptoms may include memory loss, difficulty solving problems, difficulty concentrating, inability to complete familiar tasks, changes in mood or personality, feeling anxious, depressed, or feeling confused, even when in a familiar environment.

Symptoms may often be mild and only get worse gradually.

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms include:-

Memory problems – such as forgetting recent events.

Asking questions repeatedly.

Becoming confused in unfamiliar environments.

Difficulty finding the right words.

Difficulty with numbers and/or handling money in shops.

Becoming withdrawn and anxious.

Vascular Dementia is similar to Alzheimer's although memory loss may not be as evident.

Symptoms can suddenly develop and symptoms include:

• Stroke like symptoms
• Movement problems
• Thinking problems (attention, planning and reasoning)
• Mood changes – becoming more emotional.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Describe the ways in which common types of dementia can affect an individual.

Know about good practice in caring for an individual with dementia.

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Learners should consider how best to support individuals with dementia. They may consider different organisations that can provide support for the individual and their carers, advice to help plan for the future, aids etc. Authorised sites on the internet, libraries and local dementia support groups will provide a wealth of information on this topic.

Learners should be aware of the need to support individuals with dementia to make their own decisions and to work in a person centred way.

The kinds of support they may need include:

• Making sure hearing aids work properly and that if glasses are needed that these are correct and worn
• Explaining things in a way that is easy to understand
• Having someone who can act as an interpreter in their own language
• Choosing the best time of day to talk about decisions.

They may need further help if they don’t have the capacity (under the Mental Capacity Act) – concerns should be passed to senior care/nursing staff. 

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Outline the importance of taking a person-centred approach to caring for a person with dementia.

• 3.2

  Give examples of ways in which a carer can support an individual with dementia.