Course Title: Provide support to people living with dementia

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: HWSS8169C

Course Title: Provide support to people living with dementia

Important Information:

This course is delivered and assessed in a cluster with;

CHCPAL003 - Deliver care services using a palliative approach

CHCAGE013 - Work effectively in aged care

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3416 - Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)

Course Contact: Manu Atwal

Course Contact Phone: +61399257932

Course Contact Email: manpreet.atwal@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred care and support to people living with dementia. It involves following an established individualised plan.

This unit applies to workers in a residential or community context, including family homes. Work performed requires some discretion and judgement and may be carried out under direct, indirect or remote supervision.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia

Element:

1. Prepare to provide support to people living with dementia.

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Read individualised plan and familiarise self with the specific needs and preferences of the person living with dementia. 1.2. Apply person-centred care approaches to all interactions with the person living with dementia. 1.3. Communicate with the person, their family, carer or others identified by the person, to provide and maintain a stable and familiar environment that supports the person's wellbeing. 1.4. Recognise and refer situations outside scope of own role to supervisor or health professional. 1.5 Recognise signs consistent with abuse or neglect of the person and report according to legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures.

Element:

2. Use effective communication strategies.

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Communicate in a supportive manner that respects the person's needs, rights and preferences and upholds their dignity. 2.2. Support engagement of the person living with dementia using verbal and non-verbal communication strategies. 2.3. Provide reassurance and use validation strategies with the person to relieve distress and agitation. 2.4. Communicate with families and carers in a supportive manner to provide care information and opportunities for discussion.

Element:

3. Support the person to participate in activities according to the individualised plan.

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Work with the person living with dementia, their family, carer or others identified by the person to develop an understanding of the person's likes, dislikes, strengths and interests. 3.2. Encourage the person to engage in activities that support ongoing independence according to their changing needs and preferences. 3.3. Access information about the person's reminiscences and routines from the person, their family, carer or others identified by the person, to inform activities that reflect the person's preferences and provide pleasurable experiences. 3.4. Assist the person to maintain dignity of risk, while balancing duty of care. 3.5. Support the person's use of assistive technologies relevant to the activity, according to their individual needs.

Element:

4. Use a strengths-based approach to meet the person's needs.

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Refer to the individualised plan to gain awareness of identified behaviour and potential triggers. 4.2. Recognise changes in behaviour of the person living with dementia that indicate stressors including un-met needs. 4.3. Use knowledge of the person to determine strategies to reduce stressors and meet their needs. 4.4. Implement identified strategies to reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes for the person and others.

Element:

5. Complete documentation.

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Observe and document any changes in behaviour of the person living with dementia and report to supervisor. 5.2. Complete, maintain and store documentation according to legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures.


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred care and support to people living with dementia. It involves following an established individualised plan


Details of Learning Activities

Your learning experience will involve class based teaching, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum  opportunity to complete this course successfully. Sessions involve the following:

  - class exercises to review discussions/lectures

- peer learning 

- group discussion 

- practical placement

- practical demonstrations on campus

- Online learning activities & group discussions 

In this course your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a workplace context. As part of this course you are required to undertake [number] hours of supervised learning/assessment in your chosen industry area, gaining invaluable experience and industry contacts.

- There is one workplace Assessments in this course

Work placement will be a three week block requiring the student to complete 120 hours

Non academic requirements include the completion of WIL agreements, schedules and relevant insurance documentation before commencement of the WIL activity 

Immunizations, visas, police checks, and NDIS checks as per industry requirements will also need to be completed. 


Teaching Schedule

Week 

Topic 

Assessment/ Learning activities

 

Week 10

  

1. Meeting job requirements while working within an organisation

Module page: Recording, maintaining and storing workplace information. Activity: Secure documentation

Week 10

2. Work within an aged care context

Module page: Referring situations to supervisor or health professional. Complete the activity on page. 

Week 10

3. Providing support to and communicating with people living with dementia  

Module page: Individualised plans. Activity: Leo's individualised plan

Week 11

3. Providing support to and communicating with people living with dementia  

4. Supporting the person with dementia to participate in activities

Module page: The progression and impact of dementia. Activity: Impact of dementia

Week 11

4. Supporting the person with dementia to participate in activities

Assessment Task 3 

Week 11

5. Working with a palliative care approach

Module page: Creating a supportive environment. Activity: Engaging with Leo. 

Week 12

6. Pain management and advanced care directives

Module page: Pain management strategies. Complete the activity. 

Week 12

7. Caring for self when working in aged care

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions

Week 15

 

Assessment Task 4

Week 17

 

Assessment Task 2

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops


Overview of Assessment

This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the following units of competency:

CHCPAL003 - Deliver care services using a palliative approach

CHCAGE013 - Work effectively in aged care

There will be three forms of assessment including knowledge quizzes, simulated assessments and practical assessments undertaken in the work place.

Students are given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment task 1 - Part A - Knowledge Quiz

Assessment task 1 Part B - Knowledge Quiz

Assessment task 1 Part C - Knowledge Quiz

Assessment task 2 Part A - Knowledge Quiz

Assessment task 2 Part A - Knowledge Quiz

Assessment task 2 Part C - Knowledge Quiz

Assessment task 3A - Provide support for people with Dementia - Practical Simulation

Assessment task 3C - Practical Simulation

Assessment task 4 - Workplace observation


Assessment Matrix

Matrix This refers to the assessment mapping against each unit of competency addressed by this course. Explain what the assessment matrix is and where a student can find it if they need it. Eg. The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required. 

Other Information

Attendance: Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. If you miss an assessment or assessable practical class you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence) to the course coordinator/teacher. Students enrolled in this program are required to attend at least 80% of their scheduled classes to ensure successful completion. The program includes two on-campus classes and one online class each week, providing a balanced blend of in-person and virtual learning experiences..

If you miss a practical class that is a prac report write-up you need to arrange an alternative report with your teacher. Information about your studies: You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students Extensions of time for submission of assessable work: If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension on Canvas through the assessment extension tool of up to seven (7) calendar.

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Special consideration: If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences. Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview