New book to support education and training in dementia care

The book - ‘Education and training in dementia care: A Person-centred Approach’ - has just been launched. It is aimed at people who work in health and social care services and private and third sector organisations who are responsible for, or interested in, the training and development for their staff. The book provides an evidence-based, practical resource for people intending to develop, deliver, review, or commission education and training for the dementia workforce.

Professor Claire Surr, Director of the Centre for Dementia Research at LBU, said: “Providing high quality dementia education is the foundation for the delivery of quality person-centred care for people with dementia. This book provides a practical resource for people interested in training or the development of their staff. It includes a range of practical content including up to date research evidence, case studies and vignettes and covers best-practice approaches to the design, delivery and implementation of formal programmes of dementia education and training as well as informal routes and mechanisms for workforce development.”

The book is part of The Reconsidering Dementia Series, which is an interdisciplinary series published by Open University Press that covers contemporary issues to challenge and engage readers in thinking deeply about the topic of dementia. In the last twenty years, the evidence-base for how to provide person-centred care for people with dementia has grown significantly. Despite this, until recently there has been little evidence as to how to provide training and education for the dementia workforce.

Dr Isabelle Latham, co-author, said that: “The novelty of this book is that it offers a research informed, perspective and practical advice on the broad range of issues to be considered when developing, delivering and implementing effective education, training and opportunities for workforce development. In particular it recognises that workforce development encompasses a range of opportunities and considerations that fall outside of formal educational and training programmes.”

Dr Sarah Smith, co-author and Reader at the Centre for Dementia Research at LBU, said: “As well as including content about the theoretical underpinnings of the design and delivery of education, this book focuses on the application of education and training across a number of settings, including hospitals, long term care settings, primary care and the community. We have also worked closely with collaborators to include real world examples of good and innovative practice within these settings.”