Introduction to Dementia – E-Learning

Module 1 – Understanding Dementia
• What is dementia?
• Dementia as an umbrella term
• How dementia can affect the brain
• Dementia and normal ageing
• How dementia can affect memory, thinking and everyday activities
• Understanding that every person's experience of dementia is different

Module 2 – Types of Dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• Vascular dementia
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Mixed dementia
• General awareness of how different forms of dementia can present differently

Module 3 – Recognising Signs and Symptoms
• Memory difficulties
• Problems with communication and language
• Changes in reasoning and problem-solving
• Difficulties with familiar tasks
• Changes in mood, personality or behaviour
• Disorientation and confusion
• The importance of recognising changes without attempting to diagnose

Module 4 – Living with Dementia
• How dementia can affect everyday life
• Maintaining independence and abilities
• Supporting choice and control
• Understanding the emotional impact of dementia
• Maintaining meaningful activities and relationships
• Promoting dignity, respect and quality of life

Module 5 – Communication with a Person Living with Dementia
• Why communication can become more difficult
• Using clear and simple language
• Speaking calmly and respectfully
• Allowing additional time to respond
• Listening and observing non-verbal communication
• Reducing distractions
• Avoiding unnecessary confrontation
• Checking understanding
Good communication is an important part of person-centred dementia support. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland recommends approaches such as reducing distractions, making eye contact, speaking clearly and calmly, and allowing the person sufficient time to respond.

Module 6 – Understanding Changes in Behaviour
• Why behaviour may change
• Understanding behaviour as a possible form of communication
• Recognising possible triggers
• Environmental factors
• Physical discomfort and unmet needs
• Anxiety, frustration and confusion
• Responding calmly and respectfully
• When to seek additional support

Module 7 – Person-Centred Support
• What person-centred care means
• Seeing the person rather than just the condition
• Understanding individual preferences and routines
• Supporting remaining abilities and independence
• Promoting meaningful engagement
• Respecting personal choices
• Maintaining dignity and privacy
• Supporting inclusion and participation
The HSE's National Dementia Strategy identifies person-centred care, communication skills, ethical and legal knowledge and appropriate ongoing support as important areas of dementia education.

Module 8 – Creating a Supportive Environment
• Creating a calm and welcoming environment
• Reducing unnecessary confusion and distractions
• Promoting safety and accessibility
• Supporting orientation
• Respecting personal space
• Encouraging independence
• Creating dementia-inclusive workplaces and services

Module 9 – Supporting Families, Carers and Colleagues
• Understanding the wider impact of dementia
• Communicating respectfully with families and carers
• Recognising that caring can be physically and emotionally challenging
• Knowing when to seek additional help or information
• Signposting to appropriate professional and support services

Module 10 – Course Review & Knowledge Assessment
• Key learning points
• Practical dementia-awareness scenarios
• Review of communication approaches
• Person-centred support principles
• Final knowledge assessment

This course is suitable for:
• Employees who interact with members of the public
• Healthcare and social care staff
• Home care and support staff
• Customer-facing employees
• Reception and administration teams
• Community and voluntary organisations
• Retail and service-sector employees
• Public-sector employees
• Hospitality and leisure staff
• Managers and supervisors
• Employees who may support colleagues or customers living with dementia
• Anyone seeking a basic introduction to dementia awareness

Dementia can affect how a person communicates, remembers information, understands their surroundings and manages everyday activities. Employees who understand dementia are better positioned to respond with patience, dignity and respect.
Dementia awareness can help organisations:
• Improve communication with people living with dementia
• Reduce misunderstanding and frustration
• Promote dignity and respectful interactions
• Support independence and inclusion
• Recognise possible changes in behaviour
• Create more supportive environments
• Improve confidence among employees
• Develop a more dementia-inclusive approach
The HSE's dementia strategy highlights the importance of ongoing education and training to ensure people interacting with individuals with dementia have appropriate communication skills and competencies to provide high-quality, person-centred support.

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
• Explain what dementia is
• Understand the difference between dementia and normal ageing
• Identify common types of dementia
• Recognise common signs and symptoms
• Understand how dementia may affect communication and everyday activities
• Use appropriate communication approaches
• Understand why behaviour may change
• Identify practical ways of responding to changes in behaviour
• Explain the principles of person-centred support
• Promote dignity, independence and inclusion
• Understand the importance of a supportive environment
• Recognise when additional support or professional advice may be required

Delivery: Online E-Learning
Assessment: Online knowledge assessment
Format: Self-paced
Certificate: Certificate of Completion following successful completion

The course supports general awareness of responsibilities relevant to respectful, safe and person-centred support, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 where applicable to workplace safety and employee responsibilities.

Where relevant to care and support environments, the course can also introduce the principles of dignity, person-centred care, safeguarding and appropriate communication without presenting the programme as a statutory or clinical dementia-care qualification.

The course content is informed by Irish dementia policy and guidance, including the HSE's National Dementia Strategy and dementia-care resources.

• Practical and accessible e-learning
• Designed for workplace awareness
• Clear, easy-to-understand content
• Flexible online learning
• Suitable for individual employees and organisations
• Practical scenarios and knowledge checks
• Certificate of completion
• Can be incorporated into wider workplace training programmes
• Nationwide training and e-learning support

How long does the course take?
The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, depending on the participant's learning pace.

Is this a dementia-care qualification?
No. This is an awareness-level Introduction to Dementia course. It is designed to develop general understanding and confidence and does not replace specialist dementia-care education or clinical training.

Who can complete the course?
The course is suitable for anyone who may interact with or support a person living with dementia, including employees in healthcare, social care, public services, customer-facing roles and community organisations.

Does the course cover communication?
Yes. Communication is a key part of the programme, including practical approaches for communicating clearly, calmly and respectfully with a person living with dementia.

Does the course cover challenging behaviour?
The course introduces changes in behaviour, possible triggers and appropriate supportive responses. It does not provide specialist behavioural or clinical intervention training.

Is there an assessment?
Yes. Participants complete knowledge checks throughout the course and a final knowledge assessment.

Is a certificate provided?
Yes. Participants can receive a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the course.