We need to avoid reinventing the wheel each time a person with a learning disability is diagnosed with, or suspected of having, dementia.
SquarePeg Training welcomes the publication of the Alzheimer’s Society report on why dementia training for care workers matters and how to deliver it. Three key recommendations for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are:
- Dementia training should be made mandatory for the social care workforce
- When commissioning services, there should be a contractual provision to ensure care staff have dementia training that is mapped to the relevant framework in each nation.
- In addition, this training should include
- Evidence based training design
- Effective delivery method
- Inclusive digital learning
- Support and accessibility
- Strong leadership
SquarePeg Training advocates for the inclusion of learning disability in dementia training, ideally as a standalone course or, as a minimum, a separate component of generic dementia training. Our training is evidence-based and co-designed by adults with learning disabilities (some with dementia). Sessions are delivered in real time to enable peer to peer learning and the opportunity to ask questions of the experienced trainer. Additionally, Karen Watchman can provide bespoke training that may be delivered over a different timeframe and consultancy.
With the increase in an older population of adults with a learning disability, appropriate training for, and sharing information with, adult social care staff and families has never been more important. The potential significance and reach of implementing high quality dementia training cannot be over stated in terms of best supporting adults with a learning disability, and of increasing confidence in the social care workforce.
Read the Alzheimer’s Society report here.
Read about SquarePeg Training here.