Working with Dementia Clients - Multidiscipline
If you work in the healthcare or social science fields and want to increase your competency in communicating with and caring for individuals living with dementia, this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and strategies necessary for person-centered care.
- Specialize your health care work with this post-graduate certificate focused on caring for dementia patients
- Benefit from supportive and experienced facilitators who are active in their industry
- Courses are built with flexibility in mind and can be accessed anytime and from anywhere
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Availability varies by course. Click here to view availability for courses in this program.
Schedule
Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
Work Integrated Learning
Graduates of the program may find employment in long-term care facilities, special units in retirement homes and in cognitive teams within various community health agencies, such as the Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) and local community health care services.
To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must complete the program within two years....(read more)
Overview
If you work in the healthcare or social science fields and want to increase your competency in communicating with and caring for individuals living with dementia, this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and strategies necessary for person-centered care. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the uniqueness of individuals diagnosed with dementia, and focuses on working with their primary caregivers.
Graduates of the program may find employment in long-term care facilities, special units in retirement homes and in cognitive teams within various community health agencies, such as the Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) and local community health care services.
To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must complete the program within two years.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Are committed to working with compassion and understanding.
- Possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Are willing to meet the needs of our aging population.
- Possess the ability to handle physically and emotionally demanding situations.
Courses
Read this before applying:
This program is not accepting new students. If you joined this program prior to Fall 2024, you may use this page as a reference tool. If you’re a current student and have questions about how this program intake suspension affects you, please contact your Program Support Officer.
Online  |
| Course Number | Hours | Course Name | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLT6671 | 24.0 | Overview of Dementia Care | |
| HLT6700 | 24.0 | Communication and Interpersonal Skills | |
| HLT6701 | 24.0 | Caregiving Skills | |
| HLT6734 | 24.0 | Ethics and Legalities | |
| NSG5627 | 30.0 | Orientation to Palliative Care | |
| HLT6737 | 60.0 | Clinical/Field Placement with Clients | |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
HLT6671 Overview of Dementia Care
Providing a holistic model of care for clients diagnosed with dementia is the philosophy used in this introductory course. Students explore differences between healthy aging and dementia, and learn about the assessment and diagnosis of this neurocognitive disorder. Appropriate physical and emotional environment, effects of dementia on clients, caregivers and the family unit are explored/studied. The role of research and the importance of public and professional education are also discussed.
HLT6700 Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Specific communication skills are required throughout the progressive stages of dementia. Dementia-specific approaches to communication, problem solving and the importance of cueing are reviewed. Working in multidisciplinary teams, with families, and interagency partners to effect change and ensure quality programming for clients living with dementia are explored.
HLT6701 Caregiving Skills
Assessment of clients living with dementia includes understanding their abilities to complete activities and daily living skills. Students learn how to effectively deal with challenging emotional, behavioural and social needs using best-practice strategies and interventions. Using a case study approach, students discuss and develop a care plan that incorporates facilitative environments, cultural considerations, as well as the needs of the family and caregivers.
HLT6734 Ethics and Legalities
An understanding of the ethics and legalities pertinent to clients living with dementia is essential in order to protect their rights and advocate for them. Principles of advocacy and lobbying to effect change in the healthcare environment are emphasized. Students learn how to access community supports/resources and manoeuver through the complex systems in which the client, family and caregivers are involved. Students evaluate services, identify barriers/gaps to support services and create strategies to address these barriers/gaps.
NSG5627 Orientation to Palliative Care
This course will provide an overview of Palliative Care and coping with death, dying and grief. The focus is to provide you with a review of the concepts of Palliative Care, the interdisciplinary team, hospice care, current approaches to care, and roles, issues and expectations of those working in Palliative Care. Identify what resources are available and discuss home care vs. institutional care.
HLT6737 Clinical/Field Placement with Clients
Working with clients diagnosed with dementia is an essential experience that assists students to apply & integrate theory with practice. A suitable placement agency is identified and a learning plan is developed with the student based on individual goals, experiential & measurable learning outcomes.
Pre-requisites: HLT6671 AND HLT6700 AND HLT6701 AND HLT6734 AND NSG5627
Careers & Pathways
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Provide care recognizing the uniqueness of each individual and the importance of preserving the personhood of the individual with dementia.
- Utilize caregiving strategies which promote the strengths and abilities of the individual and promote positive outcomes for both the individual with dementia and the care provider.
- Collaboratively work within a multidiscipline team to holistically assess the care needs of individuals with dementia as well as family members and significant others.
- Recognize the ethical and legal implications affecting individuals with dementia and provide an environment, which empowers individuals and families as they prepare to make difficult choices.
- Stimulate positive changes in the workplace environment in order to meet the changing needs of the individual with dementia.
- Maintain competency as a care provider by seeking out learning opportunities on an ongoing basis.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
2024/2025 Academic Year
Fees are subject to change.
Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002.
Graduation Fee
Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a credential application (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/certificationgraduating/). A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Admissions Requirements
Program Eligibility
- A two-year diploma in health, social and community studies, or a university degree in the related fields (community and justice sevices, social service worker, personal support worker, paramedic, police foundations, early childhood education, child and youth care, nursing, counselling, psychology, health care, etc.)
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
CLINICAL PLACEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible for clinical/field placement students must:
- Submit proof of a clear and valid Police Records Check for Service with Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). This document is typically valid for one year (12 months). This document will be retained on your departmental file and will be used only for the purposes related to placement. It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It may take a long time to obtain this documentation; please submit your application as early as possible.
- Complete CPR training. This certification is typically valid for one year (12 months).
- Complete the Algonquin College Health Assessment form and/or immunization form. This document is typically valid for one year (12 months).
All students will receive detailed information about the field placement eligibility requirements upon admission to the program.
Application Information
WORKING WITH DEMENTIA CLIENTS - MULTIDISCIPLINE
Program Code 6284X07PAO
Applications to Grad Cert Part-time programs must be submitted via our online application form (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/part-time-application-form/).
Prior to starting your application, please ensure that you have consulted the program admission requirements and have all the supporting documentation in a digital format ready to be uploaded.
Applications submitted in a paper format or via email will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be processed.
Applications will typically be processed within 2-3 weeks but can take longer during peak times and the start of academic terms. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 4-6 weeks prior to start of term.
Additional Information
Program Resources
International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for international fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.
CLINICAL PLACEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible for Clinical/Field Placement, HLT6737, students must complete all the theory courses and:
- Submit proof of a clear and valid Police Records Check for Service with Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS).This document is typically valid for one year (12 months). This document will be retained on your departmental file and will be used only for the purposes related to placement. It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It can take a long time to obtain this documentation. Please submit your application as early as possible. Should you require further information, please contact AC Online.
- Complete CPR training. This certification is typically valid for one year (12 months).
- Complete the Algonquin College Health Assessment form and/or immunization form. This document is typically valid for one year (12 months).
WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING (WIL) OVERVIEW:
The final requirement of the WDC part-time graduate certificate program is a 60-hour Clinical/Field Placement with Clients course. This course is designed to provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that you have learned throughout the prerequisite courses.
As a field placement student, you are responsible for completing 60 experience hours on-site at your assigned field placement agency. Field placement hours can be completed all at once or in varying time periods throughout the term, your schedule must be agreed upon with your placement agency prior to the start of your placement. All placement hours must be completed by the final day of the term.
PLACEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
In order to be eligible for field placements, students must meet the following requirements prior to the placement deadline:
- Academic Clearance: Students must complete all required prerequisite courses prior to the placement start date.
- Placement/Project Request Form: All students are required to submit a placement/project request form prior to the placement deadline.
- ParaMed Clearance: Students are required to meet the following medical and non-medical requirements. Upon completion, these requirements must be confirmed through ParaMed, our partner organization: a. Immunization Records; b. Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS); c. Standard First Aid/CPR Level C.
- Secure an appropriate placement agency: It is the student's responsibility to confirm their placement agency, dates, hours, etc. Supports will be provided by the course facilitator and further information is available on the placement website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/field-placement.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Further placement information for online students can be found on the Field Placement Centre: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/field-placement.
PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.
AC ONLINE ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.
PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements, when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).
Contact
Future Students
For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.
Current Students
For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.