Courses: National Dementia Guidelines

Online learning resources for health-care providers related to the National Dementia Guidelines: Disclosing and Communicating a Diagnosis of Dementia.

person typing on a laptop

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 learning@alzheimer.ca 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

Microlearning course overview: CLEAR Communication Toolkit

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. This microlearning course supports health-care providers in putting the National Dementia Guidelines and CLEAR Communication Toolkit into practice. 

Course access

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. 

How to download your certificate 

Download instructions for your certificate.   

In the learning system, click on your profile circle at the top right-hand corner (it will include your initials). Use the drop-down menu to choose Results 

Under Certificates click on the name of the certificate – it will start an automatic download.

You will also receive an email with a link to download your certificate. 

Email learning@alzheimer.ca if you experience any issues accessing your certificate. 

Certification 

This 1 credit- per- hour Self-Learning PROGRAM meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Quebec College of Family Physicians, a continuing professional development-accrediting organization recognized by the Collège des médecins du Québec and has been approved for 2 Mainpro+ credits.  

Claiming your credits 

Please submit your credits for this activity online at www.cfpc.ca/login. Please retain proof of your participation for six years in case you are selected to participate in credit validation or auditing. 

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. 

 

phac logo

 

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