Implementing good practice

In the Know has been developed to try and help anyone trying to support a person with learning difficulties who develops dementia. The pack contains a series of easily accessible, straightforward, practical and realistic guidance to help anyone supporting someone with learning difficulties and dementia to provide good quality care. It is arranged in three sections: background, fact sheets and tools. Each of these sections is designed to be used alone or together with other parts of the pack. This clear, accessible pack will be of particular interest to direct care staff, carers and other practitioners in the care field.

The fact sheet include coverage of the following:
* dementia and people with learning disabilities
* getting a diagnosis
* communicating with people with dementia
* life story work
* challenging behaviour
* developing suitable environments
* supporting people to eat well
* the later stages
* supporting people to eat well
* the later stages
* supporting the friends and peers of the person with dementia

The tools include:
* brain diagram
* alert signs
* differential diagnosis chart
* an example of a diagnostic care pathway
* dos and don'ts
* charter for good practice in life story work
* strategies to deal with effectively with challenging behaviour.

This pack is the result of many years of research and practice by a multidisciplinary group of academic researchers, trainers and practitioners working with people with learning difficulties who develop dementia, and with their staff, family and friends.

The pack has been developed by Diana Kerr and Heather Wilkinson of the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, University of Edinburgh. Diana and Heather have worked collaboratively with an advisory group of practitioners to make sure that In the Know is relevant and practical.

Format: PDF sent straight to your email (download time varies)
Vital information: frontline staff, carers and nurses