The general public is educated on issues related to physical and biological aspects of dementia, as well as legal rights and decision-making capacity. There is also awareness raising and information regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological options, risk factors reduction, and stigma reduction. Trainings also cover signs and stages of dementia, cognitive and behavioural changes, strategies to interact, and to live with people living with dementia and even some aspects of palliative care. The focus is on how to be empathetic, sensitive, and supportive (Informal Source, 2019). It is important to say, however, that these trainings happen in small proportions only.

The content of training varies across different organisers and target population. In general, training covers attitudes towards dementia, knowledge and understanding about dementia, brain health knowledge for dementia prevention, communication skills with individuals with dementia, and ways of coping with the impact of dementia with a positive attitude. For frontline staffs who might encounter persons with dementia in their workplace, such as police, banks, and restaurants, training contents and simulation activities are tailored to the needs of the organisation to equip them with the skills to handle potentially difficult situations specific to their workplace and in relation to dementia (Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, 2018).

References:

Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing. (2018 ). Dementia Friendly Communities.

The training described in question 05.03. covers information about signs of dementia, dementia risk reduction, and how to help people with dementia and their carers (Alzheimer’s Indonesia, 2019b).

References:

Alzheimer’s Indonesia. (2019b). Tentang Alzheimer Indonesia.

No data found.

The Alzheimer and Dementia Organization of Kenya offers caregivers/volunteers the following training modules (Alzheimer’s & Dementia Organization Kenya (ADOK), 2019):

• Understanding Dementia: This basically explains the nature and symptoms of dementia and the signs and symptoms that may progressively occur in later stages.
• Effectively communicating with an Alzheimer’s patient: Alzheimer’s being one form of dementia, the care givers learn about the best ways to communicate with the patients to avoid causing agitation by confusing them.
• Dealing with care giver burn-out: the organization has a psychologist who can assist the care givers in dealing with burn-out and how to cope with the difficulties of caring for a person with dementia.
• Dealing with behavior change (aggression): this highlights the basic ways to deal with situations when a person with dementia displays aggressive behaviour.
• Safety: since persons with dementia are prone to accidents and getting lost, the caregivers are taught about safety precautions that can help to ensure the wellbeing of the person with dementia.

References:

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Organization Kenya (ADOK). (2019). Training. https://alzkenya.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ADOK_Newsletter.pdf

There is no training covered in question 05.03.

ASA’s training of volunteers: Dementia Friends champions are trained about the personal impact of dementia on the person and the family, what can be done to support families who are living with dementia. Training includes the following: 1) about dementia; 2) how it affects people; 3) practical actions that Dementia Friends can take to help persons living with dementia in their community; 4) how to run Dementia Friends information sessions; and 5) inspire others to become Dementia Friends as well.