Working with Dementia Clients - Multidiscipline - 138

Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Senior patient in a wheelchair with a nurse
Overview

Gain the skills needed for a career working with those living with dementia!

The number of Canadian’s living with dementia is rising, according to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Through both theoretical and practical work, build on your existing knowledge and skills in the health and/or social service field and specialize in areas of care related to dementia.

Designed for those looking to enhance their competency and skills in caring for those with dementia, this program explores the importance of preserving the personhood of individuals living with dementia, utilizing care-giving strategies, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, the ethical and legal implication affecting individuals living with dementia and more.

Opportunities include specialization in several areas of care related to dementia, such as long-term care facilities, adult day care programs, home care and senior housing.

You do not need to apply to begin this program, simply ensure you meet the admission requirements (listed on the Admission & Registration tab) and then you may register for any available courses.

Program Contact
Continuing Education Health and Nursing
1-844-767-6871
cehealth@mohawkcollege.ca

Working with Dementia Clients - Multidiscipline Program
Approved certificate in Health Sciences or Human Services within Canada.

You do not need to apply to begin this program. Start by ensuring you meet the admission requirements listed above and then register for the courses listed in the Program of Studies when they are offered.  Some courses have prerequisites, so please check the Program of Studies for details. Find out how to register for a course.

The program of studies displayed below applies to students starting the program in the 2019/20 academic year. Students who began in other academic years may require different courses to be eligible to graduate. If you have questions regarding a strategy for completion contact Continuing Education - Health and Nursing . 

Click on the Course number or Course title for more information on each course.

Visit the Mohawk College Bookstore Textbook Search (opens in new window) for information on textbooks.

A selection of courses are available each term. Courses that are currently not available (N/A) for registration may be offered in the future – check back frequently.

NOTE: YOU MUST register for HLTH10223 to complete required health clearances prior to registration in CLIN10096 - Dementia Clients Clinical.

Mandatory Courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: Apply the skills learned in Dementia theory courses in a clinical setting.
Prerequisites: COMM10335 and COMM10336 and HSCI10223 and HSCI10231
Course description: Focus on bringing the person back to personal care. Participants will learn to develop specialized non-verbal communication techniques, facilitate enhancement of workplace interpersonal skills and bridge communication between professional and family caregivers.
Course description: Focus on the philosophy of care, specifically holistic care within a medical model. Diagnosis, appropriate physical and emotional environments, effects of dementia on the client and caregiver, research on caregiving, and the importance of ongoing education for caregivers.
Course description: This course allows participants to explore a variety of dementia care skills including creating meaningful programs and activities, therapeutic caregiving strategies, needs communication messaging models (NCM), life stories, and compassionate communication.
Course description: Explore current ethical issues in community based services and long term care institutions such as euthanasia, living wills, ageism, use of restraints, and competence in decision making. Discussions on legal issues focus on advocacy substitute decision making, power of attorney, guardianship and residents rights. Theory will be applied to case studies.

Select 1 from the next 5 courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: This course provides an overview of the normal aging processes including the physical, cognitive, sensory, communication and psychological needs of older adults. Common pathological problems along with specialized needs in aging are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on developmental disabilities and Alzheimer's Disease. Knowledge of community resources and understanding the role of the service provider in promoting health and well-being among older adults is discussed.
Course description: The physiology of human growth, development and aging is examined with special reference to the influence of diet, environment, exercise and disease on the normal processes. This course offers students the opportunity to explore, in depth, selected topics of interest and relevance to the physiology of aging. The topics may include among others: physiological systems, nutrition, adaptation, sexuality, menopause, arthritis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, etc.
Course description: Provides further development of skills of Assessment and Program Planning for the aging adult. Topics include interviewing skills, communication with aging adults and those with special needs, losses that occur with lifestyle changes, observations skills, recording and introduction to planning, intervention and evaluation.
Course description: What processes and supports change as adults age? How to maximize functioning with age related changes. The course deals with psychological processes such as memory, perception and intelligence. The social aspects discussed would include relationships and community involvement.
Course description: Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for persons who are living with, or dying from, advanced illness or are bereaved. Palliative care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-limiting illness that is usually at an advanced stage. The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and dignity for the person living with the illness as well as the best quality of life for both this person and his or her family. A family is whoever the person says his or her family is. This course is intended for health care professionals, the curriculum is based on standards of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and the Canadian Nurses Association.
Credits: 3
Getting Started

Login to MyMohawk
MyMohawk is the college portal used to access your student account information, email, grades and more. Your username and password can be found on the Continuing Education Acknowledgement of Registration & Student Account form that was sent to you after you registered for your course. Visit the Getting Started - MyMohawk Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Access Mohawk Email
On the MyMohawk Home screen you will see a link to Mohawk email. Visit the Getting Started – Mohawk Email Guide to learn how to set up your account on your devices.

Access OntarioLearn
Courses in this program are delivered through OntarioLearn. Visit www.ontariolearn.com to access your course. Visit the OntarioLearn Course page for step-by-step instructions. Please note your course will not appear in OntarioLearn until the scheduled start date.

Find your Textbook
Use the Mohawk College Textbook Search to find your course materials.

Explore Student Services available

Online learning courses provide you with the opportunity to learn online, anywhere, at your convenience!  You can study at home or at work - wherever you like, whenever you like, within a predetermined time frame.

Courses are delivered over a set time period and are led by instructors. Most courses do not require that you be online at a certain time of day or night, but that you are active in the course during the schedule. There are scheduled start and end dates and you cannot start courses late nor finish early.

Visit the OntarioLearn Course page to discover how to get started on OntarioLearn. Please note your course will not appear in OntarioLearn until the scheduled start date.

Visit Exams for Online Courses for everything you need to know about booking and writing your online learning exam.

Preclinical / Clinical Information

Students preparing for Clinical Placement should visit our Preclinical / Clinical webpage and our Clinical FAQ for details and information on the process.

How do I apply to graduate?
CE Financial Assistance FAQ
Clinical and Lab Information for CE Health and Nursing Students
Continuing Education FAQ

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of the Dementia Studies or Working with the Dementia Clients Program will enable the graduate 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 individuals with dementia and their caregivers
  • Collaboratively work within a multidisciplinary 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
  • Understand that positive changes in the workplace environment meet the changing needs of the individual with dementia
  • Demonstrate caregiver competency by seeking out learning opportunities to improve care to those with dementia
  • Utilize current research in order to promote quality of life for individuals with dementia

Career Opportunities

  • Specialization in Dementia Education increases the opportunity for employment in the various areas of care giving, community long term career residential 
  • Promotes effective use of theoretical and practical skills in the care of those with dementia

Related Links