Life story work is a powerful, person-centred approach used widely in dementia care. It helps professionals understand the individual beyond their diagnosis by recognising their history, experiences, relationships, and preferences. When used effectively, life story work strengthens communication, improves care planning, and supports dignity and identity.
This free life story work for dementia course provides practical guidance on how to carry out life story work in health and social care settings. You will explore different methods, tools, and best practices, and learn how to embed life story work into everyday care across all levels of dementia support.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
People living with dementia may find it difficult to express their needs, wishes, or memories. Life story work helps bridge this gap by giving care staff valuable insight into what matters most to the individual.
This free course will help you to:
- Understand life story work: Learn what life story work is and why it is important in dementia care.
- Deliver person-centred care: Use life stories to tailor care to individual needs, routines, and preferences.
- Improve communication: Strengthen relationships and reduce distress by understanding personal history.
- Use practical tools: Gain confidence using templates, prompts, and resources.
- Work collaboratively: Involve families and carers effectively and respectfully.
- Apply learning in practice: Integrate life story work into daily care routines across different care settings.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define life story work and explain its purpose in dementia care.
- Identify the benefits of life story work for people living with dementia.
- Describe different approaches and tools used in life story work.
- Gather life story information sensitively from individuals, families, and carers.
- Create and use life stories to support personalised care planning.
- Apply life story work in everyday care practice.
- Integrate life story work across different tiers of dementia care.
- Recognise challenges and apply strategies to overcome them.
- Develop an action plan to implement or improve life story work in your setting.
Life Story Work Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Life Story Work
Learners will be introduced to life story work and its purpose within dementia care. This module explains what life story work is, why it is used, and how it helps staff understand the person beyond their diagnosis. Learners will explore the key benefits for people living with dementia, including improved wellbeing, identity, and meaningful connections.
Module 2: Methods of Life Story Work
This module explores the different approaches to life story work. Learners will look at a range of methods, from informal conversations to structured life story books and digital tools. The module introduces common tools and templates used in practice and explains how different approaches can be adapted to suit individual needs and abilities.
Module 3: Creating Life Stories
Learners will develop an understanding of how to gather life story information in a respectful and person-centred way. This module covers what information to collect, such as personal history, routines, preferences, and important relationships. Learners will explore different sources of information, including the individual, family members, and carers, and how to use templates and resources to create meaningful life stories.
Module 4: Implementing Life Story Work in Care Settings
This module focuses on putting life story work into everyday practice. Learners will explore how life stories improve communication, build trust, and support better understanding between staff and individuals. The module explains how life story work informs personalised care planning and provides practical examples of using life stories during daily care activities.
Module 5: Life Story Work Across Dementia Care Tiers
Learners will explore how life story work fits within different tiers of dementia care, in line with UK standards. This module explains how life story work can be integrated across levels of care, from early support to more advanced dementia care. Learners will consider practical applications for a range of roles within dementia services.
Module 6: Best Practices and Overcoming Challenges
This module explores best practice in life story work and addresses common challenges. Learners will understand the importance of involving families and carers and how to work collaboratively. The module examines barriers such as time constraints, limited information, and inconsistencies in practice, and offers strategies to overcome these challenges and reduce disparities.
Module 7: Conclusion and Action Planning
In the final module, learners will recap the key concepts of life story work in dementia care. This module supports learners to reflect on their own practice and develop a simple action plan for implementing or improving life story work within their care setting, ensuring it becomes a meaningful and sustainable part of person-centred care.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Care assistants and support workers working with people living with dementia.
- Nurses, allied health professionals, and activity coordinators.
- Care home managers and senior care staff.
- Family carers seeking to understand life story work in professional settings.
- Students and learners preparing for dementia care roles.
No prior experience of life story work is required. The course is designed to be accessible and practical for all levels of experience.
FAQ
What does the course cover?
The course covers the principles, methods, and practical application of life story work in dementia care.
Is this course practical?
Yes. The course focuses on real-life care scenarios and practical tools you can use straight away.
Is the course relevant to UK dementia care?
Yes. The content reflects UK dementia care standards and person-centred practice.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is provided on successful completion.
Is this course CPD accredited?
Courses are not currently CPD accredited, but accreditation is planned.
Life story work helps people living with dementia feel known, valued, and understood. By learning how to use it effectively, you can improve care experiences, strengthen relationships, and deliver truly person-centred support.
Join this course today and build your confidence in using life story work in dementia care.
Life Story Work in Dementia Care Training Course CPD Accredited and Government Funding
We’re working on getting this Life Story Work in Dementia Care Training Course CPD accredited, and any course that’s approved will be clearly labelled as CPD accredited on the site. Not every health and social care course has to be accredited to help you meet CQC expectations – what matters is that staff are competent, confident and properly trained for their roles under Regulation 18. Our courses are built to support those requirements, and because they’re not government funded there are no eligibility checks or ID needed – you can enrol and start learning straight away.
