Course Description
This course covers various aspects of dementia care including the identification, assessment and diagnosis of dementia, person-centred care, communication, interaction and behaviour in dementia care, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care as well as quality, diversity and inclusion in dementia care. The overall objectives of this programme are to engage the participant in learning which is relevant to their profession and to further develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes necessary for a successful career in working with people suffering from dementia.
In 2025, the pass rate for the course was 97%.
The accreditation category of the Programme is Further Education.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course programme, students will be able to:
- Policies and strategies on dementia that are designed to create awareness and hence decreases assumptions and stigma towards persons living with dementia and their family.
- The National Dementia Strategic Plan.
- The different types of dementia.
- Signs and symptoms of dementia.
- The impact that different lifestyles might have on dementia.
- The progressive nature of dementia and some of the progressive impairments and difficulties that persons living with dementia might face.
- Identify misinformation, assumptions and stereotypes towards persons living with dementia which may lead to stigma towards them and their family.
- Be aware about the factors in one’s lifestyle that may increase the risk of dementia.
- Identify the signs and symptoms that would indicate the need for further investigation in a person without a diagnosis of dementia.
- Explain the importance of recording possible signs and symptoms in a person.
- Recognise that early diagnosis is important and the likely outcomes if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
- Evaluate, understand the criteria and the process to be used to gain a diagnosis.
- Explain how a diagnosis of dementia may have an impact on the person and the person’s family and social network including: psychological and emotional practical, financial the impact of using services and social exclusion.
- Have critical abilities to solve problems through case studies.
Target Candidates
This course is intended for individuals who are already working with people suffering from dementia or who may want to further their career in elderly care.
| Course Code | Duration | Credit Value | Next Intake | FT/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW/HSC/005 | 6 months | 12 ECTS | March 2026 | PT |
| Contact Hours | Placement Hours | Self Study Hours | Assessment Hours | Total Learning Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 25 | 200 | 15 | 300 |
Mode of Training
This Award is delivered through interactive lectures with an emphasis on group activities. Case studies and best practices are discussed throughout the programme.
Modules are delivered in the evening, twice a week.
Language of instruction is English.
Assessment
Assignments and case studies.
Awarding Body
Learning Works
Lecturers
Course Structure
Module 1: Dementia Identification, Assessment and Diagnosis (2 ECTS)
This module provides the learner with knowledge of the ageing brain and the identification of dementia. Learners also cover the different types of dementia, the first signs of this condition and symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis and the impact this condition has on the individual and others in their social network, particularly their immediate family. The focus of this module is also on the risk factors of dementia and prevention, the need for dementia awareness and the National Dementia Strategic Plan.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ageing brain;
- Explain what dementia is, including the different types and their underlying causes;
- Describe the different memory impairment commonly experiences by persons living with dementia;
- Discuss the importance of an early diagnosis;
- Describe the risk factor of dementia;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the bio-psycho-social models of care in dementia;
- Explain the impact that dementia has on the person affected and his/her social networks;
- Explain the importance of dementia awareness and the need for a National Dementia Strategy.
- Policies and strategies on dementia that are designed to create awareness and hence decreases assumptions and stigma towards persons living with dementia and their family
- The National Dementia Strategic Plan
- The different types of dementia
- Signs and symptoms of dementia
- The impact that different lifestyles might have on dementia
- The progressive nature of dementia and some of the progressive impairments and difficulties that persons living with dementia might face
- Identify misinformation, assumptions and stereotypes towards persons living with dementia which may lead to stigma towards them and their family.
- Be aware about the factors in one’s lifestyle that may increase the risk of dementia
- Identify the signs and symptoms that would indicate the need for further investigation in a person without a diagnosis of dementi
- Explain the importance of recording possible signs and symptoms in a person
- Recognise that early diagnosis is important and the likely outcomes if diagnosis and treatment are delayed
- Evaluate, understand the criteria and the process to be used to gain a diagnosis
- Explain how a diagnosis of dementia may have an impact on the person and the person’s family and social network including:
- psychological and emotional
- practical and financial
- the impact of using services
- social exclusion
- Total Contact Hours: 10
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 38
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 50
Module 2: Introduction to Person-Centred Care in Dementia (2 ECTS)
This module will address the fact that all persons living with dementia are first and foremost human beings, all with a unique identity, unique personalities and life experiences. Knowing an individual and understanding someone’s needs is a must to delivering personalised care. This module will introduce the Person-centred model of care whereby the person living with dementia should be the focus in the model of care.
Finding individual solutions for a person living with dementia can help them maintain their independence for as long as possible. Promoting independence is key to improving a person’s confidence thus enabling a heightened sense of purpose.
Relationships are also central to wellbeing and this includes professional interaction with people living with dementia. This unit covers a range of different techniques on how staff can get to know the person living with dementia and how the needs and deteriorating abilities can be met, so as to maintain the person’s identity and dignity in a safe and secured environment.
As well as understanding what makes person-centred care, staff should also be able to support a culture of person-centred care and be able to appropriately direct and support other staff in this. In addition, there should be an awareness of the different roles held by all the care home staff and knowledge on how together, as an inter-disciplinary team, can best contribute to care and support. In addition, to ensure that a person-centred care is implemented, staff should have the know-how on how to get information from a person living with dementia and/or the family and where the need be, to engage the family/carers in decisions about care and support.
- Value persons living with dementia regardless of their age and /or their cognitive impairment.
- Value the individuality of persons living with dementia – their unique identity, personality and life experiences.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of giving a voice to the person living with dementia.
- Demonstrate why it is important to get to know the person living with dementia.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of relationships and interactions with others and their potential for promoting the wellbeing of a person living with dementia.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the challenge that an unfamiliar environment may pose on persons living with dementia.
- The principles of person-centred dementia care.
- Different techniques that are used with persons living with dementia.
- Various valuable techniques used to extract information from persons living with dementia.
- Different roles held by all the care home staff and how to work as an inter-disciplinary team.
- The importance of design strategies to create a dementia-friendly environment.
- Implement a person-centered care model.
- Provide insights into the experiences of the person living with dementia.
- Support care approaches and provide solutions to meet individual needs.
- Support the role of the family in person-centred care.
- Apply the significance of a person’s background, culture and experiences when providing their care.
- Use clear documentation to communicate the care needs of the person living with dementia.
- Demonstrate how a person’s needs may change as the disease progresses.
- Adapt to the physical environment to meet the changing needs of persons living with dementia.
- Total Contact Hours: 10
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 38
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 50
Module 3: Communication, Interaction and Behaviour in Dementia Care
(2 ECTS)
This module discusses best-practices techniques on how to best communicate with persons living with dementia. Both verbal and non-verbal communication will be discussed. Good care and support depend on effective communication and is vital in any health and social care setting. Key skills, knowledge and attitudes required when communicating and interacting with people living with dementia will be addressed. Also discussed will be common challenging behaviours that are exhibited by persons living with dementia. Understanding such behaviour and techniques to distract and/or to avoid such behaviour completely will be addressed.
- Use effective communication in dementia care.
- Evaluate the impact of memory and language difficulties on communication.
- Demonstrate active listening skills.
- Be aware of the importance of non-verbal communication e.g. body language, visual images and the appropriate use of touch.
- Be able to adapt communication techniques according to the different abilities and preferences of people with dementia .
- Analyse the behavior of a person with dementia is a form of communication and how behaviours are seen in people with dementia may be a means for communicating unmet needs.
- Evaluate how a person’s feelings and perception may affect their behavior.
- Evaluate how the behaviour of others might affect a person with dementia.
- Identify common causes of distressed behaviour by persons living with dementia.
- Identify distressed behaviour is a form of communication and may be an alert to an unmet need or an expression of an emotional state.
- Communicate effectively with the family and the information that they may be able to offer to support effective communication with the person with dementia.
- Techniques in verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Active listening skills.
- Memory and language difficulties in communication.
- The importance of speaking clearly, calmly and with patience.
- The importance of ensuring that individuals have any required support (e.g. dentures, spectacles, hearing aids) to enable successful communication and the role that a clean, pain-free mouth plays in speech.
- Life story information may enable or support more effective communication.
- Gain the person’s attention before asking a question or beginning of a task.
- Be able to speak clearly, calmly and with patience.
- Adapt to the environment to minimise sensory difficulties experienced by an individual with dementia.
- Know how to communicate through non-verbal communication.
- Be able to recognise distressed behaviour and provide a range of responses to comfort or reassure the person with dementia.
- Total Contact Hours: 10
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 38
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 50
Module 4: Pharmacological Intervention in Dementia Care (1 ECTS)
While there is no cure for dementia some medications that can slow the progression of some types of dementia for a period of time are available. This unit discusses medical treatments that are used frequently as a means of ‘treating’ what are often called symptoms of dementia such as agitation and aggression. This module discusses also that prescriptions of anti-psychotic medications for such behaviours causes increased risk of stroke, falls and death. However, some people living with dementia do experience periods of acute neuropsychiatric symptoms that may need short term, carefully- monitored drug treatment to alleviate symptoms and distress. This module is intended ONLY as an awareness of the medication that older persons may or might take including the side effects that these medications may create. In no way, participants will be responsible to administer any medication.
- Be knowledgeable about the he most common medications used to treat the symptoms of dementia.
- Recognise the main limitations, risks and benefits of using anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants and cognitive enhancers to manage behavioural and psychological issues.
- Evaluate the impact of medication may have on daily living, including common side effects such as taste disturbances and a dry mouth.
- Evaluate the impact of delirium, depression and social stressors.
- Be familiar with the issues around polypharmacy for people living with dementia.
- Integrate the importance of recording and reporting side effects and/or adverse reactions to medication.
- Summarise the most common medications used to treat symptoms of dementia.
- Describe how commonly used medications affect persons living with dementia.
- Explain the risks and benefits of anti-psychotic medication for persons living with dementia.
- Explain the importance of recording and reporting side effects/adverse reactions to medication.
- Explain how to administer medicines in a person-centred way, whilst adhering to administration instructions.
- Identify, recognise and manage pain in people living with dementia.
- Explain the importance of advocating for a person living with dementia who may be prescribed medication.
- Total Contact Hours: 5
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 18
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 25
Module 5: Non-Pharmacological Interventions (Therapeutic Activities)
(3 ECTS)
Non-pharmacological or psycho-social interventions have a range of benefits for persons living with dementia. This module discusses contemporary strategies to dementia therapies. An array of approaches are introduced to support the quality of life of people living with dementia. These include community-based and individual approaches, based on person-centred care and assistive technology. This module also highlights the importance of the ‘prepared environment’.
- Describe the contemporary strategies to dementia therapies.
- Explain the benefits of psycho-social interventions including complementary therapies.
- Describe why it is important that persons living with dementia to continue their interests, social life and community involvement.
- Plan activities that can be adapted to suit an individual’s changing needs.
- Illustrate the importance of the ‘prepared environment’ and the ways of how this complements the psycho-social intervention.
- The different types of psycho-social interventions and complementary therapies used for persons living with dementia
- The technology that can be used in a variety of ways to help persons living with dementia in their daily living.
- The concept of the ‘prepared environment’.
- Support persons living with dementia in undertaking psycho-social interventions and complementary therapies;
- Be able to support persons living with dementia to continue their interests, social life and community involvement;
- Be able to support persons living with dementia is using assistive technology;
- Be able to develop strategies to adapt the physical environment in order to promote independence, privacy, orientation and safety.
- Total Contact Hours: 15
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 25
- Self-Study Hours: 30
- Assessment Hours: 5
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 75
Module 6: Principles of Quality, Diversity and Inclusion in Dementia Care
(2 ECTS)
Dementia does not discriminate and will affect people from all genders (including LGBTIQ), cultures, age and social backgrounds. Issues of diversity may have an impact on how people experience dementia, including the acceptance of the condition within their family or community.
A person’s background, age and culture are important to them as an individual so are also an important consideration for the delivery of person-centred care.
The intention in this module is for participants to become aware of the age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, spiritual, cultural and background diversity and how they may impact on people living with dementia; be able to adapt assessment and care planning taking account of equality issues; be aware of the stigma, myths and stereotypes associated with dementia; be aware of the prevalence and impact of younger onset dementia and basically be able to actively challenge any discriminatory practice that may compromise a person’s right to dignity, respect and safety.
- Adhere to the concept of diversity and its relevance to working with persons who are living with dementia.
- Describe why a person living with dementia may be subjected to discrimination and oppression and how these can be challenged.
- Evaluate each person’s experience of dementia and its uniqueness.
- Apply the importance of working in a person-centred way and how this links to inclusion;
- Recognise and respond to gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, spiritual and cultural diversity of persons living with dementia.
- Knowledge of the following terms: principles of equality, diversity and anti- discriminatory practice.
- Cultural diversity and equality issues, and how they may impact on people with dementia.
- Stigma, myths and stereotypes associated with dementia.
- Prevalence and impact of younger onset dementia.
- The impact of dementia on people with learning disabilities.
- Socio-cultural differences in the perception of the care giving role.
- Actively challenge any discriminatory practice that may compromise a person’s right to dignity, respect and safety.
- Identify one’s own biases so as to avoid any barriers that might be present which could hinder the practice of the caring role.
- Adapt assessment and care planning taking account of equality issues.
- Comprehend the challenges to healthy living that may be experienced by different socioeconomic and/or minority groups.
- Total Contact Hours: 10
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 38
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 50
Entry Requirements
Learners need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Ages 18+
- Level 3 Award in Health Care or
- At least a one-year experience as a care worker
- Be able to communicate in either English or Maltese. A proficiency numerical and literacy skills test together with a Police Conduct Certificate may also be required.
Candidates may apply for recognition for prior learning (RPL) for up to 40% of the total credits of the award in accordance to NCFHE recommendations.