Courses: National Dementia Guidelines

Disclosing and Communicating a Diagnosis of Dementia: An e-learning program for health-care providers 

This learning program includes eight modules, a complimentary microlearning course and two culturally relevant video series. This learning program will take you approximately two hours to complete. 

Learning program access 

To access this free learning program and complimentary resources, please register* on our online learning system. 

Note: To access courses you will need to enter the following code on the registration form: 218620 

*Our online learning system is provided through 360Learning, a third-party website. Upon registration for the online learning courses, you leave the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s website and by such registration, you agree to the terms and conditions as set out by the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s End User Agreement. You will also be subject to 360Learning’s privacy policy and usage terms when you enter the 360Learning site. 

Please note: All courses will be accessible on laptops or PCs. If you access a course on a mobile device, courses may not work on all mobile devices types.  

Email [email protected] if you experience any issues.

Course overview: Best practices for disclosing and communicating a diagnosis of dementia 

This course supports health-care providers in putting the National Dementia Guidelines for Disclosing and Communicating a Diagnosis of Dementia into practice.  

The primary audience for this course is family physicians. However, other health care providers and allied health professionals who disclose and communicate dementia diagnoses may also find this content helpful. This includes, but is not limited to, neurologists, geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and social workers.  

It can be used to support providers throughout the communication and disclosure process, including decision-making and engaging holistic approaches. 

Learning objectives 

In this course you will learn about: 

• The different types of holistic approaches that can be used when communicating a dementia diagnosis. 
• The importance of instilling hope when communicating a dementia diagnosis. 
• The importance of care partner presence when communicating a dementia diagnosis. 
• The importance of identifying the health care provider who will inform the person about a dementia diagnosis. 
• The importance of the environment and appointment structure when communicating a dementia diagnosis. 
• Topics to discuss at appointments, and the importance of providing information in multiple formats, when communicating a dementia diagnosis. 
• The importance of communication techniques, terminology and culturally inclusive considerations when communicating a dementia diagnosis. 
• The importance of emotional supports when communicating a dementia diagnosis, including personal reflection, active listening, empathy and understanding. 

Course access

Email [email protected] if you experience any issues. 

CLEAR Communication Toolkit Video 

This video supports health-care providers in putting the National Dementia Guidelines and CLEAR Communication Toolkit into practice. The CLEAR Communication Toolkit includes a flow diagram of the steps involved in communicating a dementia diagnosis and a script to help health-care providers communicate dementia diagnoses.

Dementia in the Black community video series 

This video series is a resource for health-care providers, care partners, people living with dementia, and anyone interested in understanding the unique experiences of the Black community with dementia. The videos were created in collaboration with health-care providers, people living with dementia, and care partners.  Watch each video to learn more about the impact of dementia on the Black community and how you can provide support. 

Dementia in the Chinese community video series 

This video series is a resource for health-care providers, care partners, people living with dementia, and anyone interested in understanding the unique experiences of the Chinese community with dementia. The videos were created in collaboration with health-care providers, people living with dementia, people expecting a diagnosis of dementia, and care partners. Watch each video to learn more about the impact of dementia on the Chinese community and how you can provide support. 

This initiative has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

For more details on these and other collaborators and partners, view the acknowledgments for this project.