Dementia care (CACC 150)

This course is based on the course Healing 2: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Cognitive or Mental Challenges in the 2008 BC Provincial Health Care Assistant Program Curriculum, and focuses only on the dementia content from the provincial curriculum. The content is adapted for learners who are already Health Care Assistants or unregulated care providers in British Columbia or other jurisdictions.

This course is also suitable for anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of dementia and dementia care.

By the end of this course, students will be able to

• describe ways to organize, administer and evaluate person-centered care and assistance for clients or residents experiencing cognitive health challenges; and
• demonstrate understanding of effective approaches to disruptive or abusive behaviours.

$834.00

Course pack is not included in the tuition fee. Contact the Douglas College Bookstore for prices and ordering information.

Cognitive Challenges in Older Adulthood

• confusion and dementia;
• common causes of reversible changes in mental functioning;
• primary forms of irreversible dementia: Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias;
• forms and causes of various dementias – pathology, processes and characteristics;
• philosophies and models of care;
• culturally appropriate care;
• importance of life review in care of individuals with dementia;
• stages of dementia and common behavioural manifestations and unique responses;
• responsive behaviours – factors influencing behaviours (e.g. “triggers”);
• importance of environment in relation to behaviours;
• strategies for working with individuals exhibiting responsive behaviours;
• appropriate activities for individuals experiencing differing levels of dementia;
• working effectively with individuals experiencing early, moderate or severe dementia;
• supporting family members; and
• caregiver needs and support.

Abuse

• types of abuse/abusive relationships;
• cycle of abuse;
• recognizing signs of abuse;
• assessing situations and individuals;
• responding to or preventing abuse, disruptive or out-of-control behavior; and
• knowing when to exit a potentially unsafe situation.

• A course package of pages from Mosby’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 3^rd edition (2013) by Sorrentino, Wilk & Newmaster

This is the textbook used by most Health Care Assistant programs at colleges throughout BC. If you wish to look at the whole textbook, it will be available at most public college libraries. We have retained the original page numbers to make it easier if you are looking at the textbook. The course pack pages will be presented in the module they apply to; you may also be directed to look back at earlier modules for readings.

As well as the course pack, there will be links to other documents and to websites for you to read.

Interactive online course in Blackboard

Due to the nature of an online delivery, the student will be expected be proficient in computer skills including email, adding attachments, navigating the internet etc. Resources for getting started with Blackboard are available online to help get the student comfortable in the Blackboard environment.

Minimum grade to pass is C+ (65%).

Successful course completion proven with official transcript request.

Registration is easy: simply call CE Registration at 604-527-5472 and quote the CRN (below) for the session you are interested in. Payment of the tuition fee must accompany registration.

Instructions on how to access your course materials will be emailed to you by the Program Assistant within five (5) business days prior to your chosen course start date.