Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this certificate, you will have knowledge and understanding of:
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diverse approaches to death and dying and the ways in which end-of-life care approaches are developed
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ethical and legal issues associated with end-of-life care including key ethical dilemmas facing people with dementia and their carers
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palliative care approaches in the UK
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how dementia is constructed as a problem
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leadership and the difference this can make in residential care for people with dementia.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
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apply key ideas/theories to the experience of end-of-life and dementia care
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critically evaluate responses to people with dementia in care and evaluate the theoretical models of grief
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recognise the ethical dimensions of dementia care.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
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respond appropriately to the needs of people with life-limiting conditions who are near the end of life and their carers
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critically reflect on policy and practice in dementia/palliative care
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recognise how changes can be made to improve the quality of care
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relate and reflect on their own practice experience with dying and bereaved people.
Key skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
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apply key study skills to dimensions of understanding dementia
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apply information literacy skills to identify and use information accurately and critically
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communicate complex information and ideas effectively.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Tutors will provide support throughout your study. They are recruited both for their skills in distance learning and their knowledge in the fields of palliative care and dementia. Many will also be experienced or working in relevant practice fields.
Through the use of written and audio/visual case studies, you will use analytic models to evaluate and discuss how practice can be improved. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice and develop your skills in module activities. The end-of-module assessments (EMAs) will provide opportunities to integrate your understanding of the ethical dimensions of end-of-life care and how this can impact on practice.
There will be a range of formative and summative assessments that will require you to apply these skills, including specific elements of assignments that assess information literacy skills.
You are given a range of theoretical tools with which to analyse practice and a diverse range of examples in different media forms of case studies with which to reflect on practice. Assessment of these skills will be equally accessible if you are not working in a health and social care setting.