Understanding Dementia

The 7-week curriculum is divided into three units: ‘the brain’, ‘the diseases’ and ‘the person’. It covers a range of topics including basic brain anatomy, pathology, dementia research, risk factors, the difference between normal ageing and dementia, diagnosis, medical management, living with dementia, progression and staging, palliation, behavioural and psychological symptoms, therapeutic approaches, dementia friendly communities and more.

The content is delivered by 18 experts in the field of dementia including neuroscientists, health scientists, clinicians, dementia care professionals and people living with dementia.

Participants will have an opportunity to engage with the material via video clips, activities, games, scenarios and quizzes. Furthermore, they will have an opportunity to meet an international network of peers online to discuss the key issues surrounding dementia.

Module: The Brain
The Brain provides background content on basic nervous system anatomy and function, followed by a discussion of the diseases that cause dementia, current dementia research and future directions.

• Nervous system anatomy
• Anatomy with Body Central
• Pathology of dementia
• Future directions of dementia research

Module: The Diseases

The Diseases explores differences between normal ageing and dementia, risk factors, issues surrounding diagnosis, as well as medical management.

• Difference between normal ageing and dementia
• Risk factors for dementia
• Domains of dementia
• Diagnosis of dementia
• Younger onset dementia
• Stages of dementia and focusing support
• Medical management

Module: The Person

The Person addresses difficulties in recognising symptoms, living with dementia, palliation, pain, dementia friendly communities, dementia inclusive design, and non-pharmacological therapies.

• Insidious onset of dementia
• Living with dementia
• Dementia palliation
• Non-pharmacological therapies
• Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
• Pain and dementia
• Advanced dementia symptoms and management
• Dementia friendly communities
• Dementia inclusive design