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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Prepare to provide support to those affected by dementia
   • Apply person-centred care approaches to all interactions with the person living with dementia
   • Interpret individualised plan and familiarise self with the specific needs and wants of the person living with dementia
   • Identify and address person’s needs for a stable and familiar environment
   • Recognise signs consistent with financial, physical or emotional abuse or neglect of the person and report to an appropriate person
3. Use appropriate communication strategies
   • Use verbal and non verbal communication strategies to maximise engagement of the person with dementia
   • Gain cooperation and provide reassurance as appropriate by using reality orientation
   • Use a range of validation strategies to relieve distress and agitation in the person
4. Provide activities for maintenance of dignity, skills and health
   • Organise activities which aim to maintain independence, using familiar routines and existing skills
   • Organise activities that are appropriate to the individual, reflecting their cultural likes and dislikes, in order to bring back pleasurable memories
   • Ensure the safety and comfort of the person balanced with autonomy and risk taking
   • Access information about the person’s reminiscences and routines with family and carers
   • Provide support and guidance to family, carers and/or significant others where appropriate
5. Implement strategies which minimise the impact of behaviours of concern
   • Identify behaviours of concern and potential triggers
   • Contribute to team discussions on support planning and review
   • Take action to minimise the likelihood of and reduce the impact of behaviours on the person and others
   • Evaluate implemented strategies with support planning team to ensure effectiveness in minimising behaviours
6. • Comply with the organisation’s reporting requirements, including reporting observations to supervisor
   • Complete, maintain and store documentation according to organisation policy and protocols
7. Implement self care strategies
   • Monitor own stress level in relation to working with people with dementia
   • Use appropriate self care strategies and seek support if required
8. Complete documentation
   • Comply with the organisation’s reporting requirements, including reporting observations to supervisor
   • Complete, maintain and store documentation according to organisation policy and protocols

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

provided support to 2 different people living with dementia:

using a person-centred approach to support

using appropriate communication strategies

assisting in implementing a range of suitable activities that meet the person’s needs

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

up to date research on dementia and the different manifestations of dementia, including:

Alzheimer’s disease

vascular dementia or multi-infarct dementia

Lewy bodies

excessive alcohol intake or Korsakov Syndrome

fronto temporal lobar degeneration (FLTD) including Pick’s disease

Huntington’s disease

Parkinson’s disease

younger onset dementia

dementia as a progressive neurological condition, including pathological features:

amyloid plaques

neurofibrillary tangles

loss of connection between cells and cell death

common indicators and symptoms of dementia

behaviours of concern, needs driven behaviour model and de-escalation procedures

progression of dementia and potential impact on the person with dementia, their family and significant others, including:

depression

loss and grieving

anger

despair

social embarrassment a family member might feel

isolation

financial burden on the family

social devaluation

principles of person-centred approach to support

relevant activities which enhance self-esteem and pleasure in the person’s life, minimise boredom, and distract from or eliminate behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

competency and image enhancement as a means of addressing devaluation

verbal and non-verbal communication strategies including:

reality orientation

reminders of the day, the time, relationships, occasions

reassuring words, phrases and body language

validation

empathy

acceptance of the person’s reality

acknowledgement

allowing expressions of distress

providing verbal and physical reassurance

frequent reminiscence to connect with person

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