The role of a Personal Support Worker within the
healthcare system has evolved significantly.
The services they provide have become very diverse. As a result, continuous training and
education for Personal Support Workers has become paramount. One area which tends to be overlooked when it
comes to training is the area of Personal Support Worker dealing with patients
in various stages of dementia.
Dementia is an often misunderstood disease that primarily
affects the elderly. Because many front
line workers such as Personal Support Workers and Nursing Assistants are not
specifically trained to deal with the requirements and needs of patients with
dementia, they tend to infantilize them, which lead to the exacerbation of the
indignity patients suffering from dementia feel.
Seeing the need for dementia specific training for front
line workers in Ontario, the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto developed specific
training modules that they offer to front line workers. These courses are taught in Toronto and offer
Certification in Dementia Specific Services.
For more information about these courses you can contact the Alzheimer’s
Society at 416-322-6560, or click here to register.
The reality is that 1 in 6 seniors in Canada suffer some
form of dementia, and a properly trained front line is essential to provide
them services.
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