AGES3002 Advanced Studies in Dementia

A holistic and culturally sensitive approach to understanding the experience of living with dementia, and to providing support in a variety of situations and contexts is essential for the ongoing improvement in the quality of dementia care. Students will explore current issues that impact on dementia care such as citizenship through a rights-based approach and issues with translating knowledge into practice. The topic focuses on the development of skills in critically analysing evidence and solution development to gain insight into practical approaches to supporting people with dementia from seldom heard from groups. A particular focus will be on students integrating the experiential pathway to well-being to facilitate innovations in dementia care practice.

This topic aims to engage students to develop expertise in supporting people with dementia from seldom heard groups and their families through the creative application of evidence to practical strategies that recognise the significance of citizenship and support the goal of well-being in everyday life.

1. Apply a rights-based approach to support the inclusion of people with dementia to engage in everyday life
2. Examine the principles underpinning ethical decision-making in practice
3. Critique the experiential pathway to well-being for dementia care practice within a culturally responsive, person centred framework
4. Integrate specialised person-centred care knowledge for people with advanced dementia and people living with dementia and their carers from seldom heard groups (e.g. young onset dementia, LGBT, CALD, prison population etc)
5. Demonstrate critical thinking and evaluation in developing implementation strategies for innovations in dementia care with the goal of enhancing well-being