| CODE | GER5111 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Communication and Dementia | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Gerontology and Dementia Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit builds on the existing knowledge of the extended model of dementia and person-centred dementia care (Kitwood, 1997). Besides this approach, other similar theories that explain why and how care interactions influence the wellbeing of persons with dementia and their carers will be discussed. For example, challenging behaviours in people with dementia will be explained in terms of a breakage in communication or as a result of an unmet need. Students will be given the opportunity to understand these theories through role play and video discussions. This study-unit will also seek to explain a number of communication skills that can be used with persons with dementia. Finally, the use of specific psychosocial interventions that are primarily based on enhancing communication such as validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, the use of memory aids, music therapy and Snoezelen will be critically appraised. Study-unit Aims: - to assist students in understanding the concepts of 'personhood' in dementia and person-centred dementia care and how the latter is related to communication; - to discuss a number of communication skills and non-pharmacological interventions that can be used to enhance communication. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - describe during a presentation, the pathophysiological changes, the related functional impairments and retained abilities associated with communication in Alzheimer disease and related dementias; - illustrate practical examples of interactions that maintain or diminish 'personhood' in older persons with dementia; - distinguish at least 5 strategies, in an essay, that can be used to enhance communication with older people with dementia. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - positively relate to persons with dementia using appropriate strategies through role play; - explain the implications associated with the presence or otherwise of appropriate communication skills when in contact with persons with dementia through the use of video vignettes. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Bourgeois, M. S., & Hickey, E. (2011). Dementia: From diagnosis to management-A functional approach. Taylor & Francis. Supplementary Readings: - Brooker, D. (2006). Person-centred dementia care: making services better. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. - Downs, M., & Bowers, B. (2008). Excellence In Dementia Care: Research Into Practice: Principles and Practice. McGraw-Hill International. - Kitwood, T. (1997), Dementia reconsidered: The person comes first, Philadelphia and Buckingham: Open University Press. - Sabat, S. R. (2001). The experience of Alzheimer's disease: Life through a tangled veil (p. 116). Oxford: Blackwell. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Group Learning and Online Learning | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Helen Fiorini David Mamo Anthony Scerri (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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