Course Title: Dementia Course for Informal Caregivers
Commencement: As per needed (usually twice a year)
Mode of Attendance: 2hrs – Once a week
Duration: 10 weeks
Target Audience: Age 16+
Language: English/Maltese
Venue: The Training Centre, SVP or Online Via Teams

Aim & Overview of Course

Research has established that most care of persons with dementia is provided by family caregivers. One of the objectives of the Malta National Dementia Strategy 2013-2020, is to improve the quality of life of individuals living with dementia, their caregivers and family members. The more you know about dementia and what to expect, the more prepared and less stressed you can be.

Registration Method

Interested participants are required to submit their application form in Maltese/English at the Training Centre Main Office or by mail on training-centre.svp@gov.mt

Contact the Training Centre on 22912473/22912485 for further queries or by sending mail on  training-centre.svp@gov.mt

Fees

This course is free of charge.

Learning outcomes

• Updated information on dementia;
• An opportunity to experience dementia from the client’s perspective through various workshops and exercises;
• A better perspective on what can be done to effectively keep individuals with dementia in the community;
• A means for caregivers and relatives to understand what to expect from the different stages of dementia;
• An opportunity for caregivers to share their experience;
• A programme that acknowledges the caregiver’s effort to keep their loved ones at home as long as possible.

Course Intention

This course is intended for family caregivers, relatives and friends of persons with dementia. The term “family caregiver” refers to those persons who care for relatives and their loved ones and are not formally paid for the service they render.

Programme of Studies

This 10-week programme is held at the Training Centre at St. Vincent De Paul Long Term Care Facility.

Session will be once a week, 2 hours per session.

During the 10 weeks, the following sessions will be covered:

• Week 1 – Introduction to Dementia
• Week 2 – Proper Seating Arrangements and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
• Week 3 – Misconceptions About Dementia & Aggressive Behaviour
• Week 4 – Dementia Services in the Community
• Week 5 – Activities in Dementia and Late-Stage Dementia. The importance of support groups.
• Week 6 – Nutrition in dementia. Continence vs Incontinence (techniques to prolong continence)
• Week 7 – Informal caregivers and Respite Care
• Week 8 – Caregiver’s importance of self-care and preservation. The psychology of letting go.
• Week 9 – Legal issues in dementia care. Moral and ethical values in dementia care.
• Week 10 – Access information on Dementia care online. Dementia intervention team and the Dementia Day Centre