Changing the culture of care
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Best Practice is an award-winning programme which has been delivered internationally. Now celebrating its 15th year, DSDC has made several updates to ensure the course remains accessible and, most importantly, maintains and/or enhances quality of life for people living with dementia, and their carers.
Standing the test of time
In the last 15 years, over 15,000 people have gone through the Best Practice programme. It remains popular because it is accessible, understandable and sustainable in the workplace. It utilises existing staff by training them to act as facilitators who then support colleagues through the programme, helping them develop skills through a series of group training sessions and reflective practice. The programme is not specific to any one role but is designed to support any member of staff by providing an excellent foundational understanding of dementia and related topics on which to build. For some staff who have taken part in the Best Practice training, it has ignited a real interest in developing their knowledge in the area. DSDC has had several Best Practice alumni continue their studies in dementia to undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Making the difference
By investing in staff to learn through the Best Practice programme, learners start to think creatively and understand the person with dementia more – see the person and not just a diagnosis. Staff learn to implement strategies to address any behaviour and promote a good quality of life.
Each person who goes through the course is required to submit a short reflective account. Through the review of reflective accounts, DSDC can see the change in practice and attitudes of individuals. Often participants talk about ‘lightbulb moments,’ and the ability to reduce medication when they understand why behaviour is happening as they can put methods in place to eliminate or reduce triggers, or identify person-centered distractions strategies, as well as provide meaningful activities.
Some of this insight has been used to put strategies in place for people in their own home. By employing these techniques, it may reduce or postpone admission to a residential care setting which can be detrimental to the individual, and indeed not in the wishes of the person with dementia.
Content changes
DSDC has made changes to the Best Practice course based on feedback from key stakeholders.
The first of the changes is the inclusion of new material to ensure we are keeping up to date and addressing topical issues with regards to dementia. Some of these include learning disabilities, the deaf community, and LGBTQ+.
Up to now the Best Practice learning materials were split into several workbooks, either four or six depending on the version being used, which were provided in a plastic folder. Moving forward, learners will have one workbook, which will reduce plastic and paper waste. The workbook will become each learner’s own textbook with space for notes and reflective exercises. This should make it easy to refer to or locate information as required.
DSDC will no longer offer five versions of the workbooks; until now there was a version for care homes, domiciliary care, housing, emergency departments and hospitals. Instead, we have created one book which can be used in any setting. The single version will challenge staff to assess situations from more than just their perspective. It will also allow organisations out with these five broad areas to access the course more easily.
In the coming weeks, DSDC is also going to be offering workbooks digitally for any organisations who would like to become more environmentally friendly. You will also be able to submit reflective exercises through the website.
Learning delivery
In addition to the content changes, DSDC has worked to make the course more accessible to organisations. Following the pandemic, many of DSDC’s courses were made available online, and we are delighted to offer facilitator training for Best Practice online now too.
Over the coming months DSDC will offer a hybrid method of delivery; facilitators/organisations can choose whether to attend facilitator training online or in person. With everyone being mindful of budgets, and with the ongoing covid situation, online learning is a more cost-effective means of delivering education for organisations as well as reducing any worries around covid. However, DSDC will continue to offer face to face training for those who prefer to learn in person.
The materials for online training are pre-recorded allowing flexibility for the learner as they can work through it at their own pace over a two-week period. With care environments under increasing time constraints, the online option will hopefully make it easier for staff to attend the course, allowing organisations to work around staff sickness/absence, or other issues arising.
DSDC has also been able to cover more content online than in face to face – training facilitators can also replay many of the sessions and access resources at the time through links to other sites including pre-recorded webinars, journal articles and websites. The training remains interactive through discussion boards, and they have the option of arranging a one-to-one Teams call with DSDC, if required.
You can read more about the Best Practice course here, with future training dates available through our website.
