Dementia Awareness and Person Centred Care

Why this matters

Dementia can affect memory, understanding, communication and how a person experiences unfamiliar surroundings. Noise, waiting, pain or several people giving instructions may increase confusion and distress during imaging. A person who cannot explain what is wrong may communicate discomfort through behaviour, which can be misunderstood if staff focus only on completing the examination.

Person centred care begins with learning what helps that individual feel safe and understood. This course explores adapting explanations, allowing time, reducing avoidable distress and involving appropriate support while respecting the person's preferences. It also encourages learners to recognise changes that need clinical attention and avoid attributing every difficulty to dementia. Thoughtful preparation can make the encounter more manageable for the patient, their supporters and the imaging team.