This one day intensive workshop is designed to equip participants with an introduction to knowledge and practical skills in group work with people with dementia. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, demonstrations and interactive exercises, participants will gain an understanding of creating and facilitating engaging group experiences for people living with dementia. The course encourages a person-centered approach, fostering empathy, understanding, and creative adaptation to meet the diverse needs of individuals with dementia in group settings.

Overview of dementia. Types, stages and common symptoms. Impact of dementia on communication, cognition and social interactions.

Introduction to group work. Purpose, benefits and evidence base. Definitions and objectives. Theoretical foundations including group dynamics, therapeutic factors, stages of group development (forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning).

Creating supportive environments. Importance of comfort and safety, sensory considerations (lighting, colours and noise level), incorporating familiar and meaningful elements.

Strategies for group engagement. Importance of meaningful activities in group settings, adaptive communication techniques, tailoring activities to cognitive abilities and interests, setting group norms and guidelines.

Practical group activity planning. Identifying suitable activities for various dementia stages and different cultural backgrounds, planning and adapting activities, incorporating music, art and sensory experiences.

Promoting inclusivity and participation. Fostering a supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere, encouraging active participating and respecting individual pacing, empowering individuals to share.

How to assess individual needs and capabilities.

Ethical considerations. Confidentiality, capacity, understanding and responding to distress and behaviours that challenge during group work.

Putting it together: how you and your service can put into practice what you have learned; identifying and problem solving barriers, planning and implementation going forward.

As with all our courses, we use a combination of lectures, demonstrations, group discussion and role play to teach the material

This course is suitable for anyone working in dementia care including mental health workers, support workers, nurses, care workers and individuals interested in gaining insights into understanding group work for people with dementia. This is suitable for people working in care homes, the voluntary sector, NHS settings including community and inpatient . This training can serve as a refresher course for those who have previous experience in this area.

Note: This course provides foundational knowledge and skills for working with individuals but does not qualify participants to practice as therapists or provide diagnosis or treatment for dementia. Consultation with a qualified mental health professional is essential for any clinical practice involving assessment, formulation, diagnosis or treatment.

This course is available as an in-house training course, both online and face to face.

Online, in-house: £1350 plus VAT (max 15 participants; extra participants are charged at £65 per person per day)

Face to face, in-house: £1850 plus VAT (max 15 participants; extra participants are charged at £85 per person per day)

To book this course for your team fill out the enquiry form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Alternatively you can email: enquiries@consultminerva.co.uk

Or call: +44 (0)20 8087 1676

Cheston & Ivanecka (2017)

Leung et al (2015)

NICE guideline: Dementia (2018)

Toms et al (2020)