This free face-to-face workshop in Deniliquin is presented by Dementia Care Australia and designed for people working in residential aged care, community care and respite care settings who work directly with people living with dementia.

You will gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of dementia, its impact on the brain, and effective ways to respond to changed behaviour and escalation. This workshop includes an introduction to changed behaviour and practical de-escalation strategies.

The workshop will also introduce the concept of sexuality in dementia to bring a better understanding of some behaviours exhibited by persons living with dementia.

Practical de-escalation strategies from 9.00am include:

• The triggers that can contribute to changed behaviour in people living with dementia.
• The arousal cycle and recognising the signs of an escalating changed behaviour in a person living with dementia.
• How to apply person-centred/best practice interventions at various stages of the arousal cycle with the intention of reducing a person’s distress to prevent them from further escalation.
• How to confidently respond to a critical incident involving a person living with dementia.
• The importance of reflection to learn from these incidents to support staff and improve their response and confidence in these events

Introduction to sexuality from 11.30am includes:

• The false beliefs versus the facts.
• The sexuality and intimacy needs of people living with dementia.
• Identification of reasons for instances of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
• Identify strategies to support the healthy expression of older people living with dementia.

Certificates for participants will be provided on completion via a survey link.

Morning tea will be provided. Bring your own lunch.