General provisions

The course is included in The Specialist Nursing Programme specialisation Care of Older People, 60 credits.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

• advanced knowledge of the symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of dementia
• advanced knowledge of the methods and strategies for person-oriented nursing in cases of dementia
• advanced knowledge of the meaning of cross-cultural care in cases of dementia
• advanced knowledge of the methods and strategies for promoting quality of life and supporting close relatives
• advanced knowledge of nurses’ profession and sphere of competence in relation to dementia care

SKILLS AND ABILITY

• independently identify problems and critically analyse symptoms of dementia; explain diagnostics, treatment and nursing practice in cases of dementia
• independently plan and evaluate nursing care in cases of dementia
• coordinate actions of different professions in the care of the patient and his/her relatives to achieve team work
• independently search for and review knowledge development in nursing care of dementia patients

EVALUATION ABILITY AND ATTITUDES

• contribute actively by identifying and reflecting on ethical issues in nursing care of dementia patients
• analyse and reflect on how nursing research can be applied within nursing care of dementia patientsreflect on their knowledge and identify areas in need of continued knowledge development
• reflect on and evaluate the function of the specialist nurse in caring of dementia

Content

• Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia
• Dementia
• Person-oriented nursing in cases of dementia
• Family support
• Current research in the area
• Ethics
• Scientific method

Instruction

• The course is conducted through half-time, web-based studies
• Work in study groups
• Lectures
• Literature studies
• Report writing
• Seminars
• Field studies

Assessment

Examination of achievement of course goals is continuous and carried out through written examinations, individually and in groups. The student must participate actively with konowledge and reflection in group examinations.