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£45
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Dementia, Communication and Unmet Needs - Open Course - Teams
Highlights
Delivered Online
3 hours
Dates
Description
Dementia, Communication & Unmet Needs
People living with dementia may communicate distress, discomfort, fear, confusion or unmet need in ways that are not always immediately obvious. When staff understand how dementia can affect communication, perception, memory and emotional security, they are better able to respond with patience, dignity and confidence.
This practical workshop is designed for care staff, senior carers, support workers, team leaders, managers, personal assistants, volunteers, and others supporting people living with dementia.
The session explores how dementia can affect communication, why distressed behaviour may occur, and how staff can look beyond the behaviour to consider what the person may be trying to communicate. The focus is on understanding the person, identifying possible unmet needs, reducing distress, and improving the quality of everyday interactions.
This course is not about “managing difficult people”. It is about recognising distress, adapting communication, and supporting people living with dementia in a way that protects dignity, choice, safety and emotional wellbeing.
What the course will cover
How dementia can affect communication, understanding and emotional responses
Why behaviour may be a form of communication
Recognising signs of distress, confusion, anxiety or unmet need
Common unmet needs, including pain, hunger, thirst, toileting, boredom, loneliness, fear and sensory overload
Understanding repeated questions, calling out, refusal of care, restlessness, wandering and agitation
The impact of staff tone, body language, facial expression and pace
Using reassurance, validation, active listening and simple communication
Creating calmer environments and reducing avoidable triggers
Supporting dignity, choice and involvement
Reflecting on incidents and learning from what the person’s behaviour may be telling us
Aim
To help delegates understand how dementia can affect communication and behaviour, and to develop practical, person-centred approaches for recognising and responding to unmet needs.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, delegates will be able to:
Explain how dementia can affect communication, memory, perception and emotional responses.
Recognise that behaviour may be a form of communication.
Identify common unmet needs that may contribute to distress or changes in behaviour.
Describe how staff communication can either reduce or increase distress.
Use practical communication approaches to reassure and support people living with dementia.
Recognise the importance of dignity, choice, familiarity and emotional security.
Consider environmental and sensory factors that may affect a person’s wellbeing.
Reflect on real situations and identify practical steps to improve support.
Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for:
Care Staff
Senior Carers
Support Workers
Personal Assistants
Team Leaders
Deputy Managers
Registered Managers
Volunteers supporting older people or vulnerable adults
Staff working in care homes, domiciliary care, supported living, day services or community settings
Delivery style
This is a practical, discussion-based workshop using real-world care examples, reflective questions and scenario-based exercises. Delegates will be encouraged to think about everyday situations they may encounter in care settings and consider what the person may be communicating through words, behaviour, emotion or body language.
The session supports staff to move from asking “How do we stop this behaviour?” to asking “What might this person need, feel, fear or be trying to tell us?”
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