ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ

Dementia Distance Learning Modules

We offer three ways in which you can enhance your ability to influence positive change in dementia. All are via our ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ of Worcester accredited distance learning modules. Details are set out below, with the following two short videos also providing useful information:

Course overview introduced by Emeritus Professor Dawn Brooker MBE, former Director of the Association for Dementia Studies

The Course Lead Dr Chris Russell also talks you through some of the key points in the following short video

Option 1: The Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Dementia Studies 

We offer a range of modules which can be combined to gain a 60-credit Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Dementia Studies.

You can find out more information about our modules, the Postgraduate Certificate, fees, how to apply and a lot more by looking here -  

See below to find out what our students say about the modules.

Option 2: The Postgraduate Award in Professional Development: Expert Practice in delivering person-centred dementia care 

This 30-credit double module can be studied as part of our Postgraduate Certificate, but is also a Postgraduate Award in its own right.

You can find out more information about this module, the Postgraduate Award, fees, how to apply and a lot more by looking here - Postgraduate Award in Professional Development: Expert Practice in Delivering Person Centred Dementia Care 

Option 3: Study individual modules

All of our modules can also be taken on an individual and standalone basis. They may also be eligible for recognition of prior learning at other universities. The course content reflects the requirements of the  and meets all of the Tier 3 leadership learning outcomes. 

• MDEM4001 Person-Centred Leadership: The VIPS Approach - Students will develop skills necessary to lead evidence-based ways of improving the provision of support and services to maintain the personhood of people with dementia. The structure of the content and assessment is based on the VIPS framework which underpins NICE 2018 Dementia Guideline and many dementia strategies internationally. 
  
• MDEM4003 Expert Practice in Delivering Person-Centred Dementia Care - his module will enable participants to implement the Focussed Intervention Training and Support (FITS) programme for people with dementia who have complex needs and distressed behaviour. As part of the module participants will deliver one cohort of FITS into Practice within their own organisation/s. This is a double module that is a Postgraduate Award in Expert Practice in its own right.
  
• MDEM4005 Enabling Environments for People Living with Dementia - This module examines the creation of dementia friendly communities, enabling environments in the home and health care settings, as well as the contribution of the person-environment fit to well-being, autonomy and preservation of self and identity. The principles of enabling environments apply regardless of your setting, making this module suitable for a broader audience.
• MDEM4006 Engagement and Empowerment in Dementia Studies - Learning is focused upon the human rights and citizenship of people affected by dementia, vital components of everyday life. It is about understanding what engagement and empowerment really mean for people living with dementia; preserving and promoting the fundamental rights of individuals. 
  
• MDEM4007 Dementia in the Family Context - Family carers are recognised as having their own, often unmet, needs which require meeting in the interests of their own health and wellbeing and to enable them to be more resilient carers. Students will develop a knowledge base and skills specific to their own sphere of influence to enable family carers to attain optimum health and wellbeing. 
  

You can find out more information about all of these modules, fees, how to apply for a module on a standalone basis, and a lot more by looking at the . 

You can also use your credits towards a Professional Development Masters, as outlined in one of our .

How we involve experts by experience

In our education we use a combination of new content created specifically for the courses and existing video and podcast content from a variety of different organisations. We also capture a range of perspectives in our new content, including academics and researchers from other universities, professionals, and experts by experience covering both family carers and people living with dementia. The following short video shows some examples of how experts by experience are included in our education delivery, not just on our Postgraduate modules, but also across our wider courses -

What do our students say?

“I have found the 'dementia in the family context' module incredibly useful. It has increased my knowledge of support available for families but also being able identify improvements that can be made in my area to improve the services we offer. To hear different perspectives from different services and settings has been invaluable.”

“This module has significantly broadened my understanding of the crucial role of carers, especially in dementia care. I’ve come to see how healthcare professionals in acute settings can play a key role in reducing caregiver stress and burden.”

"I have absolutely loved the course and have learnt so much. I feel well equipped to train others...It's been an amazing experience. Thank you...for making it such an enriching experience."

"I absolutely love it and rave about it at work and to friends... I can't devour enough of the resources and wish there were more hours in the day!"

“(studying on the course)… has challenged my perceptions and enabled me to reflect on my experiences and skills. My learning has been especially valuable in providing opportunities to consider how it can be applied in my practice to influence positive change.”     

“For me, this module has helped expand the framework for person centred care. It has really provided an insight to an element that is key to unlocking task orientated care and really embedding change. It highlights the changes needed in practise and the thinking required if we are going to move dementia care forward to where it should be. I love that this module really does put the person living with dementia at the heart of it and their voice is coming through loud and clear.”

“The module has supported learning in a systematic way. The weekly activities and reading provide a logical structure and have consolidated my understanding as I have progressed… We have been provided support that guides our thinking and it’s been helpful to have questions to consider as part of our reflections. Although the course is online, there are opportunities to meet with others in online tutorials, and to contribute to online discussions where we can learn from others.”

You can also hear from some of our students about their experience of studying with us:

Experience of the MDEM4005 module

Experience of the MDEM4006 module

Celebrating our alumni

See what our alumni have been doing on our . We'll be looking to share good news stories and examples of how they've put their learning into practice, so if you're one of our alumni and would like us to include your work, please take a look and get in touch.

Find out more

If you would like to discuss your options or talk to someone about the modules, or any of our other education and training opportunities, please get in touch at dementia@worc.ac.uk.