Alzheimer’s Disease Training Course

Alzheimer’s Disease affects thousands of individuals and families across England. It’s one of the most common forms of dementia and presents unique challenges for those it impacts. Understanding this condition – its symptoms, progression, and how best to support people who use services – is central to providing compassionate care.

This free Alzheimer’s Disease online course is here to guide you. It provides practical tools, insights, and strategies specifically tailored for professionals in the social care sector. Whether you’re a frontline carer, support worker, or healthcare assistant, this course ensures you’re equipped to meet the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Together, we’ll explore ways to improve communication, adapt care approaches, and develop a deeper understanding of the lived experience of this condition.

By completing this training, you’ll gain not only the knowledge but also the confidence to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Why Take This Course?

Alzheimer’s Disease doesn’t just affect memory; it impacts daily routines, relationships, and the overall wellbeing of individuals and their families. For professionals in social care, knowing how to provide practical, thoughtful, and person-centred support is crucial.

Here’s why this course is an ideal choice for you:

• Strengthen your understanding: Alzheimer’s Disease is complex. From biological causes to behavioural changes, this course gives you a clear understanding of how it progresses and how it differs from other forms of dementia.
• Improve the support you offer: With knowledge of symptoms, challenges in communication, and person-centred care principles, you’ll be better equipped to meet the needs of people who use services and their families.
• Enhance your professional skills: Whether managing distressed behaviours or providing end-of-life care, this course equips you with practical strategies that you can apply immediately in your role.
• Adapt care to individual needs: Every individual’s experience with Alzheimer’s Disease is unique. This course will help you develop a flexible and empathetic approach when tailoring care and communication strategies.

By joining this course, you’ll learn how to approach Alzheimer’s Disease with knowledge, compassion, and practical know-how.

Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Course Content Outline

Module 1: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Learners will define Alzheimer’s disease, understand how it impacts the brain, and explore how it progresses over time. They will also compare Alzheimer’s disease with other forms of dementia to recognise its distinct features.

Module 2: Recognising Symptoms and Behavioural Changes
This module introduces the common early and advanced symptoms of Alzheimer’s, explains how behavioural changes can be forms of communication, and teaches learners how to identify triggers for distressed behaviours.

Module 3: Causes and Risk Factors
Learners will explore the biological causes of Alzheimer’s, including amyloid plaques and tau tangles, and examine the main risk factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyle influences.

Module 4: Diagnosis and Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
This module covers the importance of early diagnosis and the role of memory services in the UK. Learners will also understand the stages of Alzheimer’s and their impact on daily living.

Module 5: Effective Communication with Individuals with Alzheimer’s
Learners will explore challenges in communication caused by Alzheimer’s, discover techniques to improve verbal and emotional communication, and understand the importance of non-verbal communication such as tone and body language.

Module 6: Providing Person-Centred Care
This module introduces the principles of person-centred care, explains how to adapt care to meet individual needs, and highlights how to create safe and supportive environments.

Module 7: Managing Stressful Situations
Learners will gain strategies for staying calm and composed in challenging situations, use creative problem-solving to address difficult behaviours, and learn how to reassure and validate individuals during distress.

Module 8: Treatment and Support
This module outlines current treatment options, including medication and non-pharmacological therapies, alongside practical tips for caregivers to help maintain independence and quality of life.

Module 9: End-of-Life Care
Learners will explore the principles of palliative and end-of-life care in Alzheimer’s disease and how to support individuals and their families during this stage with dignity, empathy, and sensitivity.

Module 10: Practical Skills and Empathy Building
The final module provides exercises to help learners understand sensory and cognitive limitations, emphasises the role of empathy in care, and suggests meaningful activities to strengthen understanding and connection with individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand how Alzheimer’s Disease affects the brain and how it progresses over time.
• Identify early and advanced symptoms, along with the behavioural changes that often occur.
• Recognise how behaviours communicate unmet needs and learn to identify triggers for distress.
• Explain the biological causes of Alzheimer’s Disease, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
• Understand common risk factors, including age, family history, and lifestyle influences.
• Communicate effectively, using tools like validation techniques and non-verbal cues.
• Apply person-centred care principles to create safe, supportive environments tailored to individual preferences.
• Manage challenging behaviours effectively, using creative problem-solving and empathy.
• Explore treatment options, both medical and non-medical, and tips for helping people maintain independence.
• Support individuals and their families during the end-of-life stage with care and sensitivity.
• Use practical exercises to build your understanding and empathy for the lived experience of Alzheimer’s Disease.

You’ll leave this course with a wealth of actionable knowledge that applies directly to your everyday work.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Social care professionals, including support workers, domiciliary carers, and healthcare assistants.
• Team leaders and managers responsible for care provision or staff development.
• Volunteers who support individuals or families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Anyone in health and social care looking to improve their understanding and skills.

Whether you’re new to social care or you’ve been working in the sector for years, this course offers fundamental knowledge and practical advice to enhance your role. It’s designed to help you provide more informed, empathetic, and effective care.

FAQ

How long does the course take?
This is a flexible, self-paced course designed to fit your schedule. You can complete it online in around 3-5 hours.

Do I need prior knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease?
No. The course is designed for all skill levels. We start with basic concepts and build on them, ensuring everything is easy to follow.

Does this course cover UK-specific guidelines?
Yes. This course focuses on frameworks, laws, and best practices relevant to England, ensuring everything you learn is applicable to your role.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. You’ll receive a personalised certificate upon course completion to demonstrate your learning.

How can I apply what I learn?
The course is packed with tools and tips you can use straight away. Whether it’s improving communication, managing behaviours, or adapting care plans, you’ll feel more confident in your everyday work.

What if I have questions during the course?
Support is just a click away. Our team is here to answer any questions and ensure you have a smooth learning experience.

Is this course CPD accredited?
No, but we are in the process of becoming CPD accredited.

Take this opportunity to deepen your understanding and make a real difference in the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Sign up today and start your learning journey.