Learn the impact that dementia can have on the senses, as well as learn how the environment can be adapted to encourage a person to live as well and as independently as possible.
How does dementia impact the senses? How might a dementia ‘unfriendly’ environment increase the risk of falls and/or distress? What are the risks of falling, for an older person or someone with dementia? Why is it important to encourage independence? What adjustments and adaptations (both big and small) can be made to support someone to live well in their environment? How do we create an environment that is safe, supportive and accessible whilst promoting familiarity and comfort? What do we need to consider when assessing environments? What other measures can be taken to prevent falls and improve a persons’ quality of life?
Our course will help you to answer the questions above and more.
A non-dementia-friendly environment can be confusing, unsafe, and disorienting for people with dementia.
Risks
- Confusion: People with dementia may get lost or forget where things are
- Disorientation: People with dementia may be confused by unfamiliar surroundings, noise, and visual over-stimulation
- Falls: People with dementia may have an increased risk of falling
- Safety: People with dementia may not be able to see things like handrails or toilet seats
About 50% of care home residents experience at least one fall each year, and this can lead to serious injuries. Falls are a major cause of hospital admissions for people over 65.
Falls in care homes
- About 1.5 falls occur per care home bed each year
- Falls are three times more common in care homes than in the community
- Falls are a contributing factor in 40% of care home admissions
- Falls can result in fractures, head injuries, bruising, abrasions, lacerations, strains, and sprains
- Falls can also have a psychological impact
Falls prevention
- 50% of falls among elderly care home residents can be prevented with proactive measures
- Training and support can help minimize risks
- Reducing disturbances and alerting staff early can help reduce falls
Through our course you will gain an understanding of how dementia can affect the brain, body, communication, memory and senses, and how these different areas can cause changes in a person’s perception of their environment. You will develop an understanding of how an environment can be adapted to be dementia ‘friendly’, encouraging independence and wellbeing; whilst also identifying potential ‘unfriendly’ environments. You will learn how to identify potential risks of falls and how to prevent them. You will learn about potential causes of distress and how to prevent them. You will learn about Kitwood’s flower and the importance of person-centred care.
What you'll learn.
- Understand the impact of dementia on the brain, body, memory, senses and communication.
- Recognise a dementia ‘friendly’ and ‘unfriendly’ environment and understand the differences.
- Identify how to make environments more dementia-friendly, for example: Reduce clutter, Reduce noise, Install easy-to-see grab bars, handrails, and bed rails, Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, Cover outlets with childproof plugs, Install textured and secure steps, Use better lighting, Use matte finishes on walls, furniture, and other surfaces, Choose landmarks or cues that are concrete and easy to name, Improve signage (colour, font and positioning).
- Recognise potential causes and risks of falls and distress.
- Understand the importance of person-centred care.
Who is Creating a Dementia Friendly Environment (inc. falls prevention) for?
Our course is for anyone who supports individuals who have dementia, whether in a care setting or in the community.
What are the learning outcomes?
By the end of this course, you will be able to…
- Discuss how dementia affects a person.
- Recognise the benefits of having a dementia-friendly environment.
- Recognise risks of falls and distress, and be able to draw on various preventative measures.
- Be able to identify elements of a dementia-friendly environment.
- Understand the importance of person-centred care and how this relates to a supportive environment.
- Develop knowledge, skills and strategies that will increase your knowledge about dementia and supporting those with dementia to live as well as possible.
- Download course brochure
