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Think you already know everything there is to know about dementia? The brain, the disease, the people living with it, and how they live? Well, as a dementia researchers, you are the experts. However, I think there is always something new to be learned, and the Wicking Dementia Understanding Dementia MOOC has a lot to offer. Take a look at the details below – 26,000 people have enrolled, you could join their community, and gain a new perspective. Enrolments close on the 13th of March and it is FREE!
Course Description
The Understanding Dementia MOOC was developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre based in the College of Health and Medicine at the University of Tasmania. This world-leading online course is free, easily accessible and available to everyone with an interest in dementia.
The ageing of human populations across the globe has contributed to dementia being identified as one of the public health issues of the 21st century. The MOOC curriculum addresses this health issue by drawing upon the expertise of neuroscientists, clinicians and dementia care professionals from both within the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, and beyond.
Since 2013, the Understanding Dementia has received over 220,000 enrolments from all around the world. We invite you to join our community and learn about the diseases that cause dementia, how the condition affects the person with dementia, and how we can provide the best quality care.
To get the most out of this experience, you should expect to spend approximately 3 hours per week completing the course activities for the 7 weeks of scheduled content. The additional 3 weeks that the course is open is to allow you to catch up or revisit content.
The release of course content will occur at 9:00am (AEST) on the following dates –
- Module 1: Orientation – 18th February, 2020
- Module 2: The Brain – 20th February, 2020
- Module 3: The Diseases – 5th March, 2020
- Module 4: The Person – 19th March, 2020
- Module 5: Completion – 8th April, 2020
You can work through the content at any time of day and at your own pace within this release schedule. This includes revisiting earlier released content as needed.
Once you have completed the course, you will be eligible to download a free, personalised certificate of completion. We also offer paid enhanced certificates options in addition to the free certificate. There will be more information about this in the Completion module.
ENROL NOWCourse Outline
The Brain
The Brain provides background content on basic nervous system anatomy and function, followed by a discussion of the diseases that cause dementia, current dementia research and future directions.
- Nervous system anatomy
- Anatomy with Body Central
- Pathology of dementia
- Future directions of dementia research
The Diseases
The Diseases explores differences between normal ageing and dementia, risk factors, issues surrounding diagnosis, as well as medical management.
- Difference between normal ageing and dementia
- Risk factors for dementia
- Domains of dementia
- Diagnosis of dementia
- Younger onset dementia
- Stages of dementia and focusing support
- Medical management
The Person
The Person addresses difficulties in recognising symptoms, living with dementia, palliation, pain, dementia friendly communities, dementia inclusive design, and non-pharmacological therapies.
- Insidious onset of dementia
- Living with dementia
- Dementia palliation
- Non-pharmacological therapies
- Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
- Pain and dementia
- Advanced dementia symptoms and management
- Dementia friendly communities
- Dementia inclusive design
