Uni launch new online course to ‘bridge the dementia divide’
The University of Derby has launched a new free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) titled ‘Bridging the Dementia Divide’ to inform family members who want to care for someone living with dementia and as a continuing professional development (CPD) tool for health and social care professionals.
The MOOC will be introduced from July 13, 2015 and has been developed by the University’s Academic Innovation Hub and University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) in conjunction with the University’s College of Health and Social Care.
MOOCs are short, free courses run by major learning providers to share their knowledge of a particular academic topic or to help students develop a specific skill.
An estimated 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia and 670,000 people act as primary carers for them. Dementia costs the UK economy an estimated £26.3bn or £32,250 per person per year, comprising social care, health care and unpaid carers. While there is no cure for many forms of dementia, it is possible to improve lives and save costs.
Course Instructor and Academic Lead for Health and Social Care at UDOL, David Robertshaw, said: “Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday activities.
“The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 47.5 million and is projected to increase to 75.6 million by 2030. The number of cases of dementia is estimated to more than triple by 2050. Dementia is overwhelming, not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families.
“There is a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia in many countries, resulting in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care, impacting caregivers, families and societies physically, psychologically and economically. This course provides a platform for people to come together to make the world a better place for people living with dementia.”
David is a UK Nursing and Midwifery Council Registered Nurse with a background in adult acute care. He maintains strong links with practice and local hospitals, and is Programme Leader for three programmes at UDOL including: BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies top up, MSc Integrative Health and Social Care and a University Advanced Diploma in Dementia Care.
This self-paced six-week free course will help individuals learn how to improve the lives of people with dementia, adopting a person-centred and integrated approach.
The units include:
- introduction to dementia
- communication and compassion
- independence, control and quality of life
- dementia as a global health priority
- integrating care
- end of life care.
This course is suitable for anybody who is interested in dementia and its effects on society, culture and economics, including health and social care professionals, policy makers and families of people with dementia. It will enable learners to develop a better understanding of communication and compassion and how to help the person living with dementia to maintain independence, control and a good quality of life.
Upon completion of the courses an E-Certificate will be issued as evidence. Enrolment opens today and for more information go to: www.derby.ac.uk/freeonlinecourses.
