Accredited Level 3 Dementia Care Diploma

This Level 3 Diploma in Dementia Care is designed for individuals with some adult social care experience or introductory qualifications in a care setting. It offers theoretical knowledge to understand dementia and related care practices. The course enhances professional skills for roles such as care worker, support worker, or supervisor, complementing knowledge from NVQs in Health & Social Care.

Learning Aims

The learning program provides students with flexibility and breadth in exploring dementia, a key aspect of adult social care. The diploma aims to:

• This course provides a theoretical academic approach to health and social care, enhancing careers in various adult health and social care settings.
• The Dementia Care Diploma fosters the development of students’ professional knowledge and roles in this vital and expanding area of care.
• A thorough examination of the subject matter at this specialized level delves into core theories and their application as outlined in current legislation and related regulations.

Learning Objectives

• Students will have the chance to explore current aspects of theory and practice in adult social care, which inform effective practices in the realm of dementia care.
• To undertake a broader study of the subject of dementia, through the selection of a variety of topics: legislation; care practice; assessment; health & safety; accountability; safeguarding and other important topics.
• Prior experience or familiarity with adult social care is beneficial but not mandatory. The course accommodates candidates with previous study or work experience in adult social care, allowing them to further develop their knowledge and skills. Alternatively, individuals can begin the course with a desire to enhance their professional care skills.
• The course fosters critical, analytical, and evaluative skills, preparing students for further education in various health and social care fields such as nursing, social work, counselling, psychology, care management, and related subjects.

Assessment Objectives (AO)

AO: 1
Students are required to demonstrate relevant knowledge and understanding using evidence, examples, and appropriate language. Synoptic assessment requires an understanding of connections between different course elements. Assessment includes two written assignments, graded by the tutor according to college procedures.

AO: 2
Students are required to critically evaluate and support a viewpoint with evidence and reasoned argumentation. Synoptic assessment involves connecting course elements to broader contexts and aspects of human experience.

Quality of Written Communication (QWC)
Additionally, students must submit written work in English, ensuring legibility and accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPG) for clarity of meaning. They should employ a suitable form and style of writing for the subject, organise information coherently, use specialist vocabulary as needed, and adhere to Harvard referencing for citations and sources. SPG will be evaluated in all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) as per the Specification.

To ensure that we maintain quality standards; all our student’s written assignments are subject to our plagiarism policy and procedure.

Key Features

We offer the opportunity to study Dementia Care at a professional level 3 validated diploma course. The student will learn and/or review the many aspects of adult social care; and be able to apply and use that gained knowledge in most specialist adult care sectors.

This course has several features:

• To develop an understanding of dementia health & social care theory.
• To treat the subject as a professional discipline, providing the academic knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate for specialist study.
• To teach students an enquiring, reflective and critical approach to the study of adult dementia care and, its many and varied physiological/psychological features.
• To encourage students to reflect on their own professional caring practice, the norms, perceptions, values and opinions in the light of their study.

Accredited Level 3 Dementia Care Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Dementia Care Diploma requires that potential students must be aged 16 or over and have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have good English oral, reading and writing skills.

Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through our contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year.

Assessment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.

Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of this is supported by our course tutor, who greatly encourages students to access support throughout their course.

Accredited Level 3 Dementia Care Diploma Course Length
1 Year.

Awarding Body
AccordAI

Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Dementia Care Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.

Course Content

Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology

In this initial unit, students will explore the various presenting characteristics of dementia. This encompasses both anatomical and physiological changes that contribute to the diagnosis of the prevalent types of this condition.

Unit 2: Understanding Dementia

The unit offers an introductory overview of common types and features of dementia, addressing their impact on families, caregivers, and individuals affected. Students will grasp the nature of this terminal condition and the diverse approaches to care and support provided.

Unit 3: Specialist Unit: Understanding Alzheimer’s

The unit offers a thorough examination of Alzheimer’s, covering diagnosis, the three core stages, treatments, care, and its impact as a terminal illness.

Unit 4: The Role of the Care Worker

This unit explores the specialised role of caregivers in dementia care, emphasising the importance of careful care planning, teamwork, empathy towards sufferers’ needs, and consideration for the broader needs of families.

Unit 5: Good Practice

This module highlights the significance of good care practices, especially in terminal illness scenarios. Students will grasp the importance of effective care provision, planning, safeguarding vulnerable adults (POVA), and the roles of legal and regulatory authorities.

Unit 6: Interpretation and Communication

In dementia care, effective communication becomes even more critical as cognitive and physical abilities diminish with disease progression. This module introduces essential communication techniques tailored for dementia care settings.

Unit 7: Practical Help

The fundamental element of caregiving lies in the practical assistance offered by caregivers. In dementia care, this encompasses a spectrum of tasks including recreational reminiscence sessions, personal care, medication management, and beyond. This unit enables students to explore and grasp essential caregiving practices utilised in dementia care.

Unit 8: Managing Challenging Behaviour

The unit delves into the behavioural changes exhibited by dementia sufferers as the condition advances, such as declining mobility, incontinence, sensory impairments, and aggression. Students will understand the significance of recognising these changes, conducting risk assessments, implementing crisis intervention, and developing coping strategies.

Unit 9: Palliative Care

This unit delves into essential end-of-life care practices. Students will explore palliative care, specialised settings, professionals involved, family preparation, maintaining dignity in dying, and post-care arrangements.

Unit 10: Medication and Treatment

In this concluding unit, we consolidate knowledge from previous modules and explore various treatment models for dementia. Despite its terminal nature, medication and treatments are tailored to individual cases. Students will study existing medication and treatments, followed by a comprehensive review of course materials, concluding with pertinent insights.