Dementia care programme extended

An award-winning programme to educate health care students about dementia has been launched in Kent.

The Time for Dementia project is designed help student health care professionals understand the disease and the challenges that come with it.

Funded by Health Education England, the project was launched in Surrey and Sussex three years ago.

But now, thanks to its success and further funding, it has been rolled out to the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University. The training gives students the chance to visit a family affected by dementia in pairs over two years, giving them a unique opportunity to see people with dementia in their own home over a period of time. Fiona McArthurRouse, head of the school of nurs- ing at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We anticipate this will help our students develop their understanding of the challenges families face when living with dementia and provide them with skills that will stay with them when they qualify.”

Morag Redfern, head of adult nursing and paramedic science at the University of Greenwich, said: “This will provide our adult nursing, paramedic science and speech and language therapy students with the opportunity to develop a greater awareness and understanding of dementia and its challenges in a real life context.”

Dementia training is being extended in Kent