Enabling Environments for People with Dementia (MDEM4005)

This module will feed into the Professional Development MA/ MSc due to its wide appeal and because the offering draws upon the world leading research and scholarship underpinning it. Another advantage is that the module is accessible, being delivered fully online via distance learning.

Part of Person Centred Dementia Studies PGCert

This module is part of the University’s Post Graduate Certificate in Person Centred Dementia Studies course. You will study alongside students on this course. The module is also part of the Professional Development MA/MSc course - a flexible course that you help design to take your career to the next level.

Overview

In a more inclusive world for people with dementia, attention must be given to the physical and built environment. Historically, people with a range of neurological conditions have been disadvantaged by environmental barriers which prevent them from leading an equivalent life to people who do not experience such challenges.

This module will help you to understand why people with dementia experience challenges in their environment. You will explore opportunities and constraints in a range of environments and how you, as a professional, can make changes to support well-being and citizenship.

This module examines enabling environments in the home, health and care settings to explore how autonomy, sense of self and identity can be preserved. You will also learn about the importance of keeping people connected to the environment, outdoor spaces and the wider community. You will explore ways to assess different types of environments and prioritise the findings of assessments to create opportunities for change.

It is expected that all advertised modules will run, but there may be situations where there are insufficient students to make a particular module viable.

Career benefits

Dementia is one of the greatest challenges facing society in 2024. Numbers of people living with dementia or affected by it (for example, family members) are significant and will continue to grow. Dementia has a wide impact therefore, influencing not only how individuals live their lives and consider the future, but also how businesses, organisations, charities, councils and others do so. These settings have an interest in how their public facing operations are organised and delivered. Key within this will be the places and spaces where they go about their business, where employees work and customers visit.

“Enabling Environments for People with Dementia” is based upon world leading scholarship led by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies. Students will learn more about what works in practice for individuals living with dementia within the settings offered by the organisation where they are based, and the environments within which they work and offer services to the public.

Learning will support students build expertise and confidence in enabling adaptions, amendments and cutting edge approaches to ensure that the service offered is of the highest possible quality.

The module will also enhance the knowledge and expertise students hold relating to its subject matter, enabling opportunities to provide consultancy.

Module delivery

This module is offered fully online, via distance learning.

There will be live seminars with your tutor and other students approximately once per fortnight. These are scheduled in advance, last about an hour, and you will have all the dates for seminars in advance. It is expected that you will join these seminars at the time specified.

It is planned that there will be a choice of 2 times in the week when you can attend the Collaborate Seminar online. These will generally be scheduled Tuesdays 10-11am or Thursdays 5-6pm. Collaborate Seminars provide a chance for tutors and students to discuss the course material, to develop ideas and critical thinking.

There are also a range of other fully online learning activities offered weekly, equating to approximately 10 hours of study each week, which can be managed by students to fit their diaries and existing commitments.