Knowledge and Skills for Dementia Care: the SSLD Approach from Coursera

This course is designed and produced by Professor Ka Tat Tsang of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work in collaboration with the Institute for Life Course and Aging at the University of Toronto.

This course aims to inform learners about dementia and dementia care from an SSLD perspective, including, community care, in-home support, and long-term care. This course will cover the continuum of senior services and support across different settings, including, private caregiving, community services, and institutionalized residential care. Course components are designed to equip learners with practical knowledge regarding dementia and dementia care. This course also features top-notch researchers and practitioners who will be sharing their expertise and experience on recent research developments about dementia and other related topics, including, advance care planning, elder abuse, management of behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, sexuality and intimacy, consent and capacity, legal issues, principles of designed space and aging-in-place, substance use and addiction in older adults with dementia, senior care models, etc.

Upon the completion of this course, learners will possess a holistic understanding of the needs and characteristics of older adults living with dementia, and will also be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their competency in providing care.

What's inside

Syllabus

Overview and Course Introduction

This course aims to inform learners about the continuum of senior services and support, from community care to in-home support to long-term care across various contexts, including, private caregiving community services, and institutionalized residential care. Course components are designed to equip learners with a conceptual foundation regarding dementia and dementia care. Upon the completion of this course, learners will possess a holistic understanding of the needs of older adults living with dementia, and will also be equipped with the knowledge and skills to enhance their competency in performing dementia care.

Functional Recovery and Enhancement

This module will cover the important role optimism plays in dementia care. Learners will study the core concepts of the SSLD system, including, the N3C-6D formulation and its applications in everyday caregiving for people living with dementia. Learners will further study the concepts of "ageing in place" and the basic principles of how to design living spaces to adequately meet the needs of older adults living with dementia.

Applications in Daily Life

In this module, learners will study the nature of ageism, its various forms, and its manifestations in everyday life. Learners will build on this foundation by studying different ways to counter ageist practises in different care settings. This module will also cover the general principles of psychosocial interventions from an SSLD perspective, and the Play Intervention for Dementia (PID) application of SSLD. In addition, the importance of caregivers' wellness, as well as different strategies to practice self-care will also be covered.

Mental Health, Psychosocial and Behavioural Challenges

This module will examine different mental health, psychosocial, and behavioural challenges of caring for people living with dementia. The topics that will be covered are: managing responsive behaviours; substance use in older adults; intimacy and consent for people living with dementia; elder abuse; as well as legal issues, including, for example, consent and capacity, and advance care planning.

From Attachment, Intimacy, Sexuality to the Lifeworld

In this module, learners will study issues relevant to attachment, intimacy and sexuality in people living with dementia in various settings, as well as the concept of Lifeworld. This module will also revisit the topic of ageism and examine its implications in the contexts of erotophobia and desexualization. The special topic of the intersections of ageing and LGBTQ+ will also be explored.

Holistic Experience and Transcendence (HT)

In this module, learners will be equipped with an understanding of the HT formulation in SSLD. Specifically, learners will have the opportunity to study the concepts and principles of personhood and agency of older adults. The intersections of ageing and social exclusion, as well as the role of technology in furthering social inclusion will also be examined.

Organizational Development and Service System Enhancement

This module will cover the circumstances of senior service delivery in a global context. Examples of domestic senior service organizations and their service programs will be introduced. Learners will have the opportunity to examine what constitutes a good senior service system and will study how to implement holistic and person-centred care for people living with dementia in various settings. This module will conclude by revisiting how to counter the pervasiveness of ageing from an SSLD perspective.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops an understanding of the continuum of senior services and support across various settings, equipping learners with conceptual foundations

Harnessing knowledge from top experts in the field, learners gain valuable insights into dementia care

Provides practical knowledge through a focus on the principles of SSLD, helping learners apply concepts directly to dementia care

Examines relevant issues in dementia care, including mental health, psychosocial challenges, and legal dimensions, enhancing learners' holistic understanding

Emphasizes the significance of caregivers' well-being and explores strategies for self-care

Reviews summary

Helpful dementia care skills

Learners say this course on dementia care is largely positive, giving it mostly high ratings. They describe this course as engaging and thorough. Students are saying that the course has useful information and is easy to understand. Students also say the course can be helpful for both professional and personal caregivers, as well as psychology students.

Focus on SSLD approach

"This course has addressed the important issues of increasing dementia population, challenges for quality of care, and comprehensive care by the SSLD approach."

"Give you the idea of SSLD, but not much about the skill that use on client."

"A very useful learning tool for professional and personal caregivers, psychology students (like myself) which enhances a broader care perspective for persons living with dementia, opening a window for a flexible, hopeful, openminded yet informed and realistic approach."

Informative course

"Very informative course"

"Actually, i will definitely recommends this course to friends in long care setting. Bravo!!"

"This course gave an excellent viewpoint of where our systems should be but is still in a strong stage of idealism vs the actual reality of what is happening in long term care homes - it will however go a long way in raising awareness that there is a good alternative to the current model and guide eventual change (Ihope!)"

Some concerns raised

"I was really enjoying the course, but I got stuck on an answer and I can't continue. I reported a possible error but so far I have not received a response."

"Became too much of a politicized Infomercial. A few great moments of value but perhaps too few to regard this as a high quality course. Sorry...just the way I feel."

"This course was attempting to cover way too much. It both was trying to address dementia from the patient 's and care-giver's perspectives, and at the same address several much-larger context perspectives. from a the administrative, the sociological and political, so it seemed to be very much longer than other similar Coursera courses.. It was not only unnecessarily fragmented in its focus, but intolerably fragmented in its presentation; most segments were 3-4 minutes long, some less than a minute. I wanted to quit countless times because this bits-and-pieces structure was so frustrating and infuriating."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Knowledge and Skills for Dementia Care: the SSLD Approach with these activities:

Review the concepts of SSLD

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Start by reviewing the core principles of SSLD. This will give you a solid foundation for the rest of the course.

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Read the course overview and introduction materials.
Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses on related topics.
Participate in online discussions or forums to connect with other students and discuss the topic.

Read 'The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss'

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Gain practical guidance and emotional support by reading a comprehensive and widely acclaimed book on dementia care, offering valuable insights and strategies for family caregivers.

View The 36-Hour Day on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Read and reflect on the content.
Highlight or note key points and strategies.

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Knowledge and Skills for Dementia Care: the SSLD Approach will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

介護福祉士

介護福祉士は、高齢者の心身の状況や生活環境を総合的に評価し、適切なケアプランを作成・実施し、高齢者とその家族を支援します。ＳＳＬＤアプローチは、高齢者のニーズに合わせた個別的なケアを重視しており、介護福祉士にとって不可欠な要素です。このコースでは、認知症のケア、メンタルヘルス、心理社会的介入などの介護福祉士の業務に関連するトピックを網羅しています。

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介護士

介護士は、高齢者に食事介助、入浴介助、排泄介助など、日常生活動作（ＡＤＬ）の支援を行います。ＳＳＬＤアプローチは高齢者に対する共感と愛情に基づくケアを重視しており、介護士にとって不可欠な要素です。このコースでは、認知症のケア、メンタルヘルス、心理社会的介入などの介護士の業務に関連するトピックを網羅しています。

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Geriatric Care Manager

Geriatric Care Managers help older adults to age in place by providing a range of services, including care coordination, financial management, and advocacy. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of person-centered care, which is essential for Geriatric Care Managers. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, elder abuse, and legal issues, which are all relevant to the work of a Geriatric Care Manager.

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作業療法士

作業療法士は、身体的・精神的な障害や制約のある人に対して、日常生活動作（ＡＤＬ）や社会参加を支援するためのリハビリテーションを行います。ＳＳＬＤアプローチは、高齢者の機能回復と向上を重視しており、作業療法士にとって不可欠な要素です。このコースでは、認知症のケア、メンタルヘルス、心理社会的介入などの作業療法士の業務に関連するトピックを網羅しています。

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精神保健福祉士

精神保健福祉士は、精神疾患や障害のある人とその家族に、相談や支援などのサービスを提供します。ＳＳＬＤアプローチは、精神疾患や障害のある高齢者への寄り添い方を重視しており、精神保健福祉士にとって不可欠な要素です。このコースでは、認知症のケア、メンタルヘルス、心理社会的介入などの精神保健福祉士の業務に関連するトピックを網羅しています。

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Nurse

Nurses provide a range of care to older adults, including medical care, wound care, and medication management. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of person-centered care, which is essential for Nurses. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Nurse.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists work with older adults to improve their functional abilities and independence. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for older adults, which is essential for Occupational Therapists. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of an Occupational Therapist.

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Recreation Therapist

Recreation Therapists use recreation and leisure activities to improve the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of older adults. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of engagement and socialization for older adults, which is essential for Recreation Therapists. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Recreation Therapist.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists work with older adults to improve their mobility, strength, and balance. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of physical activity for older adults, which is essential for Physical Therapists. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Physical Therapist.

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Activity Director

Activity Directors plan and lead activities for older adults in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult day care centers. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of engagement and socialization for older adults, which is essential for Activity Directors. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of an Activity Director.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists work with older adults to improve their communication and swallowing abilities. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of communication for older adults, which is essential for Speech-Language Pathologists. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Speech-Language Pathologist.

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Home Health Aide

Home Health Aides provide a range of care to older adults in their homes, including personal care, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for older adults, which is essential for Home Health Aides. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Home Health Aide.

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Social Worker

Social Workers work with the elderly and their families to identify and access resources, provide emotional support, and advocate for their rights. While this course does not focus specifically on social work, it does emphasize the role of collaboration and support in dementia care. The course also covers topics such as elder abuse, legal issues, and advance care planning, which are all relevant to the work of a Social Worker.

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Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistants provide basic care to older adults, including bathing, dressing, and feeding. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of compassion and empathy in caregiving, which is essential for Certified Nursing Assistants. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Certified Nursing Assistant.

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Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual care to older adults, including counseling, support, and end-of-life care. The SSLD Approach emphasizes the importance of spirituality in aging, which is essential for Chaplains. The course also covers topics such as dementia care, mental health, and psychosocial interventions, which are all relevant to the work of a Chaplain.

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