Around 982,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Society’s 2024 estimates. That number is projected to exceed 1.4 million by 2040. If you work in social care, you will almost certainly support someone with dementia during your career. Many already do.
Dementia awareness training gives care workers the knowledge to provide safe, respectful, person-centred support. This guide covers what dementia is, the main types, what the training includes, and how to get certified.
What dementia is
Dementia is not a single disease. It is a term for a group of symptoms caused by damage to the brain. Those symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language and problem-solving, and changes in mood or behaviour. The symptoms are progressive, meaning they get worse over time, though the speed of progression varies between individuals.
Dementia is caused by specific diseases that damage brain cells. The four most common types account for the vast majority of diagnoses.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, responsible for around 60-70% of cases. It is caused by a build-up of proteins (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) in and around brain cells. Early symptoms typically include difficulty remembering recent events and conversations, while older memories may remain intact for longer.
Vascular dementia is the second most common type, caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. This can result from a stroke, a series of small strokes, or damage to small blood vessels over time. Symptoms depend on which area of the brain is affected and can include problems with planning, concentration, and processing speed. Progression is sometimes described as “stepped” rather than gradual, with sudden declines after vascular events.
Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) inside brain cells. It shares some symptoms with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. People with Lewy body dementia may experience visual hallucinations, fluctuating alertness, sleep disturbances, and movement difficulties similar to Parkinson’s.
Frontotemporal dementia tends to affect younger people, often those under 65. It causes damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behaviour, and language. Someone with frontotemporal dementia may lose social inhibitions, become apathetic, or develop difficulty finding the right words.
Many people have “mixed dementia,” where two types occur together. Alzheimer’s with vascular dementia is the most common combination.
Why care workers need this training
Care workers in residential homes, domiciliary care, supported living, and hospital settings encounter dementia regularly. The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that 70% of people in care homes have dementia or significant memory problems. In domiciliary care, the proportion is also high, since many families seek home care specifically because a relative’s dementia has progressed beyond what they can manage alone.
Without training, well-intentioned care workers can inadvertently cause distress. Correcting someone who is confused about the date or insisting they are wrong about a memory can trigger anxiety and agitation. Rushing personal care tasks can feel threatening to someone who does not understand what is happening. Speaking too quickly, using complex sentences, or standing over someone can escalate a situation that could have been calm.
Dementia awareness training is also a regulatory expectation. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects care providers to ensure staff have the skills and knowledge to meet residents’ needs. Inspectors routinely check whether staff working with people who have dementia have received appropriate training. The Skills for Care Dementia Training Standards framework, published by Health Education England, outlines the expected learning outcomes for different staff roles.
What the training covers
The Understanding Dementia course at Chefs Bay Academy is a 40-minute, CPD accredited course designed for care workers, support workers, nurses, and healthcare assistants. It covers eight modules.
The course starts with what dementia is and how it affects the brain. It then covers the types and characteristics of different dementias, including how each type presents differently in terms of symptoms and progression. The signs, symptoms, and progression module helps care workers recognise early indicators and understand how needs change over time.
Communication strategies form a dedicated module. Person-centred approaches get their own module too, covering how to see the person first and the diagnosis second. Supporting daily living covers practical guidance for assisting with activities like eating, dressing, and personal hygiene in ways that preserve dignity and encourage independence. The course also addresses behaviours that challenge (a term preferred over “challenging behaviour” because it places the challenge in context rather than on the person) and how to respond calmly and appropriately. The final module covers supporting families and carers, who often need guidance and reassurance as much as the person with dementia does.
Communication strategies
Communication changes significantly as dementia progresses. In the early stages, someone might repeat questions or lose track of conversations. In later stages, they may lose the ability to form sentences or understand spoken language entirely.
Training teaches care workers specific techniques. Speak slowly and clearly. Use short sentences. Ask one question at a time and allow plenty of time for a response. Maintain eye contact and position yourself at the person’s level rather than standing above them.
Non-verbal communication becomes increasingly important. Facial expressions, tone of voice, touch, and body language can convey warmth and reassurance even when words are no longer fully understood. A gentle hand on the arm and a calm, friendly tone can do more than any verbal explanation.
Avoid arguing with or correcting someone who is confused. If a resident believes it is 1975 and they need to collect their children from school, responding with “Your children are adults now” may cause distress and confusion. Validation, acknowledging the person’s feelings and reality, is usually more effective and less distressing than correction.
Person-centred care
Person-centred care is a concept developed by Professor Tom Kitwood at the University of Bradford in the 1990s. It means treating each person with dementia as an individual with their own history, preferences, personality, and rights, rather than as a set of symptoms to be managed.
In practice, this means knowing the person’s life history, what they did for work, what they enjoy, what frightens them, and what comforts them. A care worker who knows that Mrs. Patel was a music teacher for 30 years might play classical music during personal care to help her feel calm. A care worker who knows that Mr. Clarke becomes anxious in unfamiliar environments might ensure the same staff member supports him each morning.
Person-centred care planning is central to good dementia support. The Care Planning course at Chefs Bay Academy (40 minutes, CPD accredited) covers how to write and maintain person-centred care plans that reflect the individual’s needs, preferences, and history.
This approach has practical benefits beyond dignity. People who receive person-centred care tend to be less agitated, less likely to exhibit behaviours that challenge, and less likely to need physical or chemical restraint. Staff working in person-centred environments report higher job satisfaction too.
Getting certified
Getting your dementia awareness certificate through Chefs Bay Academy takes under an hour. The Understanding Dementia course is 40 minutes long, self-paced, and works on any device. You complete the modules, pass the end-of-course assessment, and download your CPD accredited certificate immediately.
A licence costs £29 and includes access to the Understanding Dementia course plus 130+ other courses. That same licence covers the Mental Health in Older Adults course (45 minutes, CPD accredited), which is a strong companion for anyone working with elderly people who may have both dementia and depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. It also includes the Care Planning course, safeguarding, infection control, manual handling, and everything else a care worker needs.
For employers, the £29 per-learner cost covers an entire training library rather than a single course. Staff can work through modules around their shifts, and managers receive certificates as evidence for CQC inspections and staff development records.
Frequently asked questions
Is dementia awareness training mandatory?
There is no single law requiring a specific dementia awareness certificate. However, the CQC expects providers to demonstrate that staff have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the people they support. If your service supports people with dementia (and most care services do), inspectors will look for evidence of dementia-specific training. The Skills for Care Dementia Training Standards framework, endorsed by Health Education England, sets out what different staff roles should know.
How long does dementia awareness training take?
The Understanding Dementia course at Chefs Bay Academy takes approximately 40 minutes. It is self-paced, so you can complete it in one sitting or across several sessions.
How often should training be refreshed?
Best practice is to refresh dementia awareness training every one to two years. Guidance evolves, and regular refresher training helps care workers maintain good practice, especially if they have moved between different care settings or client groups.
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Dementia is the umbrella term for a group of symptoms caused by brain damage. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of those symptoms, accounting for 60-70% of cases. All Alzheimer’s is dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. Other causes include vascular disease, Lewy body disease, and frontotemporal degeneration.
Can I use this training for my CQC evidence?
Yes. The CPD accredited certificate from Chefs Bay Academy can be used as evidence that staff have completed dementia awareness training. Many care providers include it in their training matrices and present it during CQC inspections as part of their evidence of staff development.
Related guides
If you found this guide useful, you might also want to read:
- Safeguarding Training: Who Needs It and What It Covers for the overlap between safeguarding and dementia care, particularly around recognising abuse of vulnerable adults
- Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace for understanding how mental health conditions can coexist with dementia in older adults
- Infection Control Training: Essential Knowledge for Care Workers for another essential topic in care worker training
All these courses are included in your Chefs Bay Academy licence — £29 for instant access to 130+ courses.