Complete Care Training
Dementia Awareness
Dementia CareLevel 1

Dementia Awareness

This course is for frontline adult social care staff (domiciliary care, care homes, day services, supported living, reablement, and similar roles) who may support people living with dementia, including people without a formal diagnosis and people experiencing fluctuating cognition.

It matters because dementia affects memory, thinking, communication, and daily functioning, and misconceptions (including that it is a “natural” part of ageing) can delay appropriate support or lead to unsafe practice. Recent regulator evidence also links the experience and safety of people with dementia to staff capability, communication, person-centred routines, and the ability to respond to distress as communication.

2 hours 15 minutes
Created by Sophie Barber Updated 10/2026 English
  • 100% online, any time
  • On any device
  • Accredited certificate on completion
  • Learn by doing
  • Storytelling built around your routine
  • Audio and alt text throughout
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What you'll learn

Define "dementia" as an umbrella term and differentiate it from normal ageing and from potentially reversible causes of confusion (including delirium) in simple scenarios.
Identify common dementia-related changes (memory, communication, behaviour, function) and recognise when observed signs could reflect other conditions or circumstances.
Explain why myths, stigma, and stereotyping harm care and describe how to reduce stigma in everyday interactions.
Apply consent and capacity fundamentals by selecting lawful, least-restrictive actions in everyday care decisions and escalating appropriately when a capacity assessment/best interests process is required.

Course content

7 modules

This module introduces the key features of dementia, how it differs from normal ageing, and how different types of dementia may present. Learners will also explore common conditions that can look like dementia, including delirium, and learn how to recognise, record and escalate sudden or concerning changes.
This module explores how to support people with dementia to live well through person-centred, rights-based care. Learners will consider dignity, choice, consent, identity, meaningful activity and reasonable adjustments, with practical guidance on adapting support to each person’s needs and preferences.
This module provides practical communication techniques for supporting people living with dementia. Learners will explore verbal and non-verbal approaches, ways to reduce pressure and distress, how to respond when a person’s reality differs, and how to involve carers while respecting consent and confidentiality.
This module helps learners understand distressed behaviour as a form of communication rather than a problem to control. It covers common triggers, de-escalation techniques, physical and environmental causes, and practical tools such as ABC charts and empathy maps to support safe, respectful responses.
This module introduces the legal and professional responsibilities involved in dementia care. Learners will cover consent, mental capacity, best-interest decision-making, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and accurate record-keeping, with a focus on applying these principles in everyday practice.
This module explores how effective partnership working can improve support for people with dementia and their carers. Learners will consider carers’ needs and rights, safe information-sharing, clear handovers, joined-up working and how to signpost people to relevant health, social care and community services.
This final module assesses learners’ understanding of the key topics covered throughout the course. Through a range of questions and practical scenarios, learners will demonstrate their knowledge of person-centred care, communication, consent, safeguarding, distress, confidentiality, record-keeping and carer support.

Specialist

Sophie Barber

A qualified teacher, examiner and content creator, Sophie has over 10 years experience developing resources for examination boards to ensure that they are using effective learning tools. An ex-medic, Sophie has a huge passion for the healthcare profession and the importance of delivering quality care.

Training you can trust

How this course works. You will work through self-paced modules, check your understanding with knowledge checks, and finish with a short assessment. On passing, your CPD-certified certificate is available to download immediately, ready for your CQC evidence file or employer records.

Recommended renewal: every year. Your certificate is valid for 12 months. Skills for Care's minimum for most topics is every 3 years. Refresher periods by topic

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

There is no deadline: a one-off purchase gives you lifetime access to the course, including updates, so you can complete it at your own pace across shifts.
Yes. Every course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, and the certificate states the course, the level and the date you passed.
Yes. It works on phone, tablet and computer, and your progress syncs between them.
Your certificate is generated the moment you pass the final assessment, ready to download or print.