Comprehensive Approaches to Ageing and Dementia Care

Designed for professionals working with older adults, this course develops the knowledge and confidence to deliver compassionate, person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence and quality of life. Participants will explore how ageing and dementia influence people's experiences and apply evidence-informed approaches across a range of health and social care settings. 

Drawing on biological, psychological, social, cultural and ethical perspectives, the course examines topics including diagnosis, human rights, relationship-centred care, care transitions and end-of-life considerations. Participants will strengthen their ability to make informed decisions, support interdisciplinary practice and respond effectively to the complex needs of an ageing population. 

To view the module descriptor (NURS11179), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors.

 

Who is this course for? 

This course is suitable for professionals who support older adults, including those living with dementia, and who want to strengthen their knowledge and professional practice.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Health and social care professionals working with older people across a range of care settings
• Professionals supporting individuals living with dementia and their families or carers
• Practitioners seeking to strengthen person-centred, rights-based and relationship-centred approaches to care
• Those involved in assessing, planning, coordinating or delivering care across the ageing journey, including diagnosis, care transitions and end-of-life care
• Professionals looking to develop their leadership capability to support compassionate, collaborative and evidence-informed practice within interdisciplinary teams

 

Why take this course? 

As people live longer and the prevalence of dementia continues to increase, professionals across health and social care are supporting individuals with increasingly complex needs. Delivering high-quality care requires more than clinical knowledge alone – it demands an understanding of the biological, psychological, social, cultural and environmental factors that influence people's experiences of ageing and dementia.

This course supports participants to develop a holistic, rights-based approach to care that promotes dignity, independence and wellbeing. It also strengthens the leadership skills needed to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams, helping organisations respond to changing population needs, improve person-centred practice and deliver compassionate, evidence-informed care across a range of settings.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Evaluate how neurological, physiological and wider health factors influence ageing, dementia and professional decision-making
• Apply biopsychosocial, spiritual and environmental approaches to support the wellbeing, aspirations and quality of life of older adults in a range of care settings
• Integrate human rights, ethical principles and values-based practice into person-centred care and professional decision-making
• Develop strategies to lead and contribute effectively within interdisciplinary teams, promoting compassionate, holistic and evidence-informed approaches to ageing and dementia care
• Critically evaluate different approaches to supporting older adults and identify opportunities to enhance professional practice within your own organisation

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered online over 14 weeks, enabling you to balance postgraduate study with professional and personal commitments. Learning materials are released in manageable stages through the University's virtual learning environment, allowing you to build your knowledge progressively throughout the course.

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including around 36 hours of tutor-supported learning, supported by guided online activities and around 90 hours of independent study. Optional online academic support sessions provide additional opportunities to ask questions and discuss your learning as you progress.

This flexible delivery model is designed to support working professionals, allowing you to study at a pace that fits around your existing commitments while engaging with current evidence and reflecting on your own professional practice.

 

Course content

• Understanding ageing and dementia

Explore how neurological, physiological and wider health factors influence ageing and dementia, and how these shape individual experiences, care needs and professional decision-making.

• Delivering person-centred, rights-based care

Examine ethical principles, human rights and values-based approaches that promote dignity, autonomy and meaningful participation while supporting personalised care.

• Supporting people through changing care needs

Consider key stages in the ageing and dementia journey, including diagnosis, care transitions and end-of-life care, and explore approaches that support continuity, wellbeing and quality of life.

• Promoting inclusion and wellbeing

Develop an understanding of the social, cultural, spiritual and environmental factors that influence ageing and dementia, alongside strategies to address stigma, discrimination and barriers to inclusive care.

• Strengthening collaborative practice

Explore how compassionate leadership, interdisciplinary working and reflective practice contribute to effective, holistic care and improved outcomes for older adults and those living with dementia.

• Applying evidence to professional practice

Use contemporary evidence, critical reflection and workplace-focused learning to evaluate approaches to care and identify opportunities to enhance practice within your own professional setting.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply your learning to realistic professional practice rather than simply demonstrate academic knowledge.

You will complete a 4,000-word case study and reflective assignment based on an aspect of ageing, dementia, or ageing and dementia care within a relevant care setting. Drawing on current policy, strategic priorities and evidence, you will evaluate a practice issue, justify appropriate interventions and consider the ethical challenges associated with delivering high-quality care.

The reflective element encourages you to evaluate your own professional development, helping you identify how your learning can inform future practice, strengthen decision-making and support improvements within your workplace.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply course concepts to ageing and dementia care scenarios, reflecting on how they relate to your own professional context
• Critically evaluate current practice using contemporary evidence, policy and rights-based approaches to inform decision-making
• Reflect on ethical challenges and consider how different approaches can influence outcomes for older adults and those living with dementia
• Develop your ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and identify opportunities to enhance care within your own organisation

You will leave with:

• Greater confidence in supporting older adults with complex and changing needs
• Enhanced skills to make informed, evidence-based decisions that promote dignity, wellbeing and person-centred care
• A stronger understanding of how leadership, collaboration and reflective practice contribute to high-quality ageing and dementia care
• Practical insights that can be applied to improve professional practice and support service development across a range of care settings

 

Entry requirements

This course is designed for professionals working with older adults, including those living with dementia, across health and social care settings.

Applicants should normally have completed academic study at SCQF Level 9 or above. While experience of working with older adults or individuals living with dementia is recommended, this is intended to support your learning rather than act as a formal requirement. If you are unsure whether this course is suitable for your qualifications or professional background, please contact us to discuss your eligibility.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at UWS, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations. This module is part of our MSc Ageing and Frailty (With Dementia).

 

Meet the course presenters

Dr Bryan Mitchell is a Lecturer at UWS, specialising in ageing, frailty, and dementia care. He holds a PhD in dementia research and has extensive experience in complementary approaches to supporting people in later stages of dementia. Bryan leads the MSc Ageing and Frailty (with Dementia) programme and is committed to advancing evidence-based, person-centred care. His work focuses on enhancing compassionate practice and improving the quality of life for older adults through education, research, and innovation. 

Vinodhini Murugavel (Vino) is a Lecturer in mental health with extensive clinical, academic, and community experience across India and Scotland. Her work reflects a strong commitment to culturally responsive practice, informed by lived insights into migration and dementia care. She has held roles including Community Psychiatric Nurse and Addiction Nurse Practitioner. Vino is on the Alzheimer Scotland Carers Academy partnership and contributes to teaching, mentorship, curriculum development, and student engagement across nursing education at UWS.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

As populations age and the prevalence of dementia continues to grow, organisations across health and social care require professionals who can deliver compassionate, evidence-informed and person-centred care in increasingly complex environments.

This course reflects current professional practice by integrating contemporary evidence, human rights, ethical decision-making and interdisciplinary approaches to care. Participants will develop capabilities that support high-quality care across a range of settings while strengthening leadership, collaboration and reflective practice to help improve outcomes for older adults and those living with dementia.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.