Living With Dementia: Communicating

Content of Course

The topics included in this course will enable the capture and discussion of:

1. The way in which people living with dementia may communicate.

2. How dementia can alter perceptions of communication.

3. Appropriate responses and strategies of communication – a person-centred interpretational approach.

Teaching method(s)

Classroom based.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Recognise that a person with dementia’s verbal and non-verbal communication may alter due to their experience of dementia.

• Recognise that a person with dementia’s ability to communicate is affected not only by damage to the brain, but also by the environment and the ability of others to use a person-centred approach.

• Explain why words and actions of people with dementia always have a meaning.

• Communicate with people with dementia with increased confidence.

Sources

Core Readings

Accessible and online reference material will be given within the handout material provided by the facilitator. 

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided by the facilitator.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.