Dementia Discovery

Dementia Discovery is designed to help those new to the workforce, who may have limited knowledge about dementia. It aims to increase knowledge about dementia with tips on ‘where to next’ for training and resources.

Dementia Discovery: Understanding the Brain and Dementia

Using video and animation, this DTA micro-course gives an introduction to the brain, as a foundation for understanding causes of dementia.

Module 1

30 mins

Dementia Discovery: Alzheimer’s Disease

This brief module focuses on changes in the brain that may be related to Alzheimer's disease.

Supporting Aged Care Quality Standard:

1 3

Module 2

15 mins

Dementia Discovery: Vascular Dementia

This brief module focuses on changes in the brain that may be related to vascular dementia.

Module 3

15 mins

Dementia Discovery: Frontotemporal Dementia

This brief module focuses on changes in the brain that may be related to frontotemporal dementia

Module 4

15 mins

Dementia Discovery: Dementia with Lewy Bodies

This brief module focuses on changes in the brain that may be related to Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Module 5

15 mins

Dementia Discovery: Empathy Matters

What is it like to see the world through the eyes of person with dementia? Using video and animation, this DTA micro-course gives an introduction to the concepts of empathy and person-centred care.

Module 6

30 mins

Dementia Discovery: Communication Matters

This brief module focuses on dementia related changes and principles to bear in mind for communicating with respect and dignity.

Module 7

1 hr

Jump to section:

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The courses and resources on this page are free.
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Readings listed include Helpsheets by DTA consortium member, Dementia Australia.

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A Certificate of Completion is available for completed courses in My Dashboard.

Section 1

Understanding the causes of dementia

Dementia is one word, but it describes a range of conditions that involve changes in the brain and a wide collection of possible symptoms.

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Understanding the brain and dementia

30 mins

Certificate of Completion

Using video and animation, this DTA short-course gives an introduction to the brain, as a foundation for understanding causes of dementia.

Access course

Reading

Dementia Australia Helpsheet #1: What is Dementia

5 mins

Download now

Section 2

Learn more about types of dementia

After completing the short-course “Dementia Discovery: Understanding dementia and the brain”, here are some additional short-courses to build your knowledge about specific types of dementia and potential underlying changes in the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Understanding the brain and dementia

15 mins

Certificate of Completion

Access course

Reading

Dementia Australia Helpsheet #13: Alzheimer’s disease

5 mins

Download now

Vascular dementia

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Vascular dementia

15 mins

Certificate of Completion

Access course

Reading

Dementia Australia Helpsheet #16: Vascular dementia

5 mins

Download now

Frontotemporal dementia

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Frontotemporal dementia

15 mins

Certificate of Completion

Access course

Reading

Dementia Australia Helpsheet #17: Frontotemporal dementia

5 mins

Download now

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Dementia with Lewy bodies

15 mins

Certificate of Completion

Access course

The name of this focus area is changing from “Responsive Behaviours” to “Changed Behaviour”. You may see both terms while we transition our content to Changed Behaviour.

Section 3

Providing care and support

Empathy and a person-centred approach are key for supporting people living with dementia.

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Empathy Matters

30 mins

Certificate of Completion

Using video and animation, this DTA short-course gives an introduction to the concepts of empathy and person-centred care.

Access course

Short Course

Dementia Discovery: Communication Matters

60 mins

Certificate of Completion

Communication skills are important for the workforce supporting people living with dementia. This 1 hour module focuses on dementia related changes and principles to bear in mind for communicating with respect and dignity.

Access course

Reading

Dementia Australia Helpsheet: Communication

5 mins

Download now

Reading

The role of communication in quality dementia care

5 mins

Download now

Resource

Responsive Behaviours Quick Reference Cards

DTA’s Responsive Behaviours Quick Reference Cards are designed as an on-the-spot point of reference, to remind or prompt interactions and raise points to consider.

Read now

Dementia Discovery provides a basic working knowledge about the brain, types of dementia, and principles of person-centred care and communication.

Section 4

Continue your dementia journey with foundational training

Skilful support for persons with dementia requires us to build on this knowledge with foundational learning on a range of topics – such as understanding the role of the environment, effects of medications, and changes in behaviour.