Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice MSc

This module aims to examine the underlying principles theories, concepts, policies, and practices that underpin the organisation and delivery of dementia care.

Dementia is a national and global priority due to its substantial personal, relational, and societal impact. People living with dementia have complex health and social care needs and require increasing levels of support and care as dementia progresses. Successful implementation of person-centred care and relationship-centred care requires practitioners to be equipped with knowledge and skills and be empowered to deliver high-quality care often within impoverished care environments. In addition, progressive efforts to innovate, promote quality and integrate care are impacted on by the reality of resource constraints.

National and global strategies aim to improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and the people who care for them while decreasing the impact of dementia on communities and countries. The module will provide a supportive and academically challenging environment within which students will develop a critical understanding of how policies have helped shape the delivery of services. We will also examine how policy is informed and draws upon evidence-based practice and the findings from research activities.

This Dementia Policy and Influences in Practice module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

This module explores global and national perspectives of dementia and dementia care provisions in the UK and across the world.

It examines the evidence underpinning the challenges that face different nations and relevant policy approaches (e.g. by the WHO, OECD, national dementia strategies) taken to address pertinent issues such as those related to dementia diagnosis, treatment, care, and support.

This module provides a supportive and intellectually challenging environment within which students develop a critical awareness of dementia in a global context.

This Global Perspectives in Dementia module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

This module examines dementia in the broader context of contemporary multicultural society, as well as the lived experiences of dementia across diverse biological/ physical, and psychosocial domains.

The module focuses on key topics, including dementia patterns and trends, beliefs and perceptions about dementia across different cultural and social groups (e.g. ethnic, LGBTQI+, young/older adult, learning disability, rural and travelling communities), major theoretical frameworks health and social care provision for people living with dementia and other long-term conditions, health and social inequalities, work and economic security across the lifespan.

This module will provide a supportive and intellectually challenging environment within which you will develop a critical awareness of dementia in a contemporary context.

This Dementia: culture and society module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

This module requires you to analyse and evaluate different approaches to dementia in health and social care settings and to formulate innovative ideas for how these can be used now and, in the future, to support people with dementia to live well.

This Evidence-based Approaches to Dementia in Health and Social Care module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

This module aims to deliver a thorough understanding of major paradigms, concepts, principles, and methods underpinning primary and secondary research of real-world problems affecting individuals living with dementia and other vulnerable populations (e.g. family carers).

An appreciation of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs, various data collection methods, and ethical considerations will be developed throughout this module. This includes complying with legislation, such as data protection and mental capacity.

The module will provide a supportive and intellectually challenging environment within which students quickly develop a critical understanding of a range of research skills and how to apply them in different dementia research and evidence-based practice contexts.

This Research Methods in Dementia module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

This module ensures you appreciate a critical understanding of how to support people living with dementia to live well, upholding their dignity, sense of self, human rights, and independence. This includes acquiring skills in supporting staff to provide good quality care for people living with dementia and their families (e.g. educational interventions), and being an innovative leader in dementia care services by understanding leadership and management styles.

Designing, managing and improving dementia specific services in primary, secondary and tertiary care is a key aim of this module. This is done with the inclusion of key stakeholders (people living with dementia, their families and professional care staff views) and the use of assistive technologies and digital innovations; thereby developing and implementing change in dementia care.

This Leadership and Innovation in Dementia Care module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

This module empowers you through the implementation of a literature review and writing a dissertation. You will demonstrate proficiency in critically understanding relevant issues and knowledge on your chosen topic area, consider the many types of implications to your work and the wider world, and express this in writing in a systematic way. 

The aim of the dissertation is to contribute to the understanding and development of best dementia care practice. It should enable you to critically reflect on your own and future practices. The project topic will have been chosen in discussion with your dissertation supervisor.