Course Structure
The Associate Degree in Dementia Care is comprised of 16 units of study.
- Four enabling support units to build general skills including literacy, numeracy, online technology, communication and basic biology and develop confidence for tertiary study.
- Four Understanding Dementia units to introduce students to both the normal ageing processes in the body and the brain and what goes wrong in dementia. It will have a biology focus enabling students to understand the mechanisms of what goes wrong, and how various therapies are applied to intervene in the dementia process.
- Four Models of Healthcare units introducing students to models of care that currently exist in Australia, core principles of supportive care and palliation, and how to effectively communicate with people with dementia.
- Four elective units from a possible eight are offered from a range of areas including regulation and documentation in aged care, chronic illness, innovations in management, and workplace study units.
The range of degree electives offered will be subject to student demand and may not all be offered in the first instance.
The Associate Degree in Dementia Care is offered part-time with students enrolling in 2 units per semester, with 3 semesters offered per year, allowing completion of the degree in 8 semesters (2.5 years). All support units will be offered with face-to-face delivery of a significant part of the unit material with the remainder of units being delivered online/by distance with some further opportunities for face-to-face interaction. It is anticipated that the remaining units will be offered in flexible delivery mode with optional face-to-face attendance. Opportunities to interact with teaching staff will be offered through a variety of means including face-to-face, interactive online software, video link/conferences, email and phone.
Preferred Pathway
| Year | Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 July-Oct |
Using Emerging Technology and Learning Online as Applied to Aged Care Studies | Introduction to General Studies in Dementia in Australia |
| 5 Nov-Feb |
Introduction to Effective Communication in Health Studies | Neurospeak – understanding the nervous system | |
| Understanding Dementia | Models of Healthcare | ||
| 2 | 1 Feb-June |
Introduction to Population Trends in Ageing | Introduction to Dementia in Australia |
| 2 July-Oct |
Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia | Principles of Supportive Care for People With Dementia | |
| 5 Nov-Feb |
The Biology of Ageing and Dementia | Principles of Palliation in Dementia Care | |
| 3 | 1 Feb-June |
Preventative and Therapeutic Approaches in Dementia Care | Effective Communication with People with Dementia and their carers |
| 2 July-Oct |
Unit of your choice (refer to electives below) | Unit of your choice (refer to electives below) | |
| 5 Nov-Feb |
Unit of your choice (refer to electives below) | Unit of your choice (refer to electives below) |
Degree Electives
- Introduction to the Australian Healthcare System
- Regulation and Documentation in Aged Care
- Organisational Behaviour and Leadership in the Workplace
- Chronic Illness, Complex Needs and Comorbidity in Aged Care
- Workplace Unit in Dementia Care
- Negotiated Study in Dementia Care
- Historical Perspectives on Ageing and Dementia
- Innovations in Case Management in Aged and Dementia Care