Dementia

Consultations with older people are commonplace in pharmacy practice, but increasing complexity around medicines and conditions can present challenges. Supporting the older person in making decisions around their medicines and health while promoting dignity and respect is a vital part of the role of every healthcare professional.

This workshop is part of the Consultation skills for pharmacy practice programme which you can access via the Consultation skills for pharmacy website. It will support you in adapting your consultation to the needs of the older person to ensure a patient-centred approach.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the issues that make the consultation with the older person different
• appreciate and respect the perspective of the older person when discussing their medicines and health
• describe the key skills and behaviours that are essential to ensure older people are considered with respect and dignity
• adopt the key practice standards that will support you in demonstrating a person-centred approach when consulting with older people
• complete a self-reflection form to support you in developing your practice.

This workshop is for pharmacy professionals who are new to, or are considering providing medicines optimisation for residents in care homes for older people.

It is an interactive learning session using innovative practical activities, including a film and observation exercise, to build participants’ skills and confidence in changing how medicines are used in this setting.

#CPPEcarehomes

Learning Objectives:

• observe day-to-day practice in a care home for older people and identify poor care and potential medicines-related safeguarding incidents
• list the checks needed to ensure medicines reconciliation is completed accurately for new care home residents
• describe examples of good practice in medicines optimisation for older people in care homes
• implement practical strategies to manage poor practice in medicines optimisation and medicines-related safeguarding incidents to improve resilience of care homes
• create a checklist to guide care staff about whether a 'when required' medicine may be needed in a resident with dementia.

In this programme you will consider how to prepare for, and approach consultations with people suffering from dementia and how best to involve their carers or family members in these discussions.

Learning Objectives:

• discuss the importance and benefits of involving people with dementia in consultations and decisions about their treatment and health
• describe the skills and techniques needed to engage and communicate effectively with people with dementia
• identify some key national practice standards most applicable to pharmacy consultations with people with dementia
• recognise and address the challenges of a three-way consultation
• apply the knowledge, behaviours and person-centred skills needed to maximise the effectiveness of your consultations with people with dementia.

This programme will help you to develop a better understanding of the role of the healthcare teams in the early identification of dementia and help you to recognise the signs and symptoms of the different types of dementia. It will improve your knowledge of the clinical and patient-centred holistic management of people with dementia and supports the delivery of care that is evidence based and up-to date.

Please note: this learning programme has been developed and provided by NHS Education for Scotland. Users should recognise that this programme will refer to Scottish policies and organisations. CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the investigations and clinical features used to diagnose dementia
• recognise the signs and symptoms of the different types of dementia, describe their progression, and have an understanding of the common differential diagnoses
• discuss the lifestyle changes that can improve the overall health of people with dementia
• demonstrate an understanding of the medicines used to treat dementia and their place in therapy
• describe the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), know the potential causes of BPSD and the management of these symptoms
• review the risks associated with antipsychotic medicines in patients with dementia
• anticipate and advise on treatment of commonly encountered symptoms at the end of life in dementia
• appreciate the importance of interacting with the person in a person centred way and utilising communication techniques that recognise individual needs.

This e-learning programme has been produced to support anyone who has contact with a person living with dementia. It provides a general introduction to the disease, an insight into living with dementia, an overview of anti-dementia drugs and non-pharmacological treatments and a guide to positive communication.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the Social Care Institute for Excellence. After ordering this programme, you will be redirected to their website where the resource is hosted. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Objectives:

• have a knowledge of the different types of dementia, common symptoms of dementia and the key characteristics of each type
• understand which factors are known to increase or lessen the risk of dementia
• understand the process of diagnosis and the impact it may have on an individual
• have a greater understanding of anti-dementia drugs and non-pharmacological treatments
• be aware of the help and support available for people with dementia and signpost appropriately
• be more confident in communicating positively with a person with dementia.

This dementia e-learning course is aimed at anyone who comes into contact with someone with dementia and provides a general introduction to the disease and the experience of living with it. This course is designed to be accessible to a wide audience and includes a considerable amount of video footage shot by both the Alzheimer’s Society and SCIE where people with dementia and their carers share their views and feelings on camera.

Work your way around the Dementia learning topic, taking part in bite-sized interactive challenges that will help you and your team support patients and carers with administering medicines, transfer of care from hospital to care home setting, and medicines adherence.

You can access this learning here: Dementia - theLearningpharmacy.com

Learning Objectives:

• describe new methods of engaging with patients and the public
• provide advice and signposting on self-care and public health
• explain how to deal effectively with patient queries about long term conditions or medicines
• support a person presenting with a new prescription
• describe how to advise appropriately a patient requesting an OTC medicine
• become more confident in dealing with therapeutic challenges and prescription interventions
• explain how you would work in partnership with other healthcare professionals to support patients.

This quality standard covers care for people with dementia provided by health and social care staff in hospital, community and specialist care settings. It includes diagnosis, assessment and care planning, and respite services for carers of people with dementia. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

This quality standard covers supporting people with dementia to live well and maintain their independence. It is for all social care settings and services working with and caring for people with dementia or suspected dementia. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

An interactive e-learning resource to support the training of all health and social care staff in supporting people to live well with dementia.

Alzheimer's Society - United Against Dementia webpage