Caring for adults

Caring for adults is an introductory course for anyone in a caring role, either paid or unpaid. It builds on what you already know to give you a better understanding of your role as a carer. It also supports your own well-being by giving you some ideas and information about looking after yourself and dealing with stress.

• Introduction and guidance
• Introduction and guidance
• Guidance for accessing alternative formats
• Structure of the course
• Why study this course?
• Learning outcomes
• Before you begin
• Acknowledgements
• Week1Good communication
• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 What is communication?
• 1.1 Barriers to communication
• 1.2 How do things go wrong?
• 2 Developing your interpersonal skills
• 2.1 What are interpersonal skills?
• 3 Are you listening or waiting to speak?
• 3.1 Listening is not the same as hearing
• 3.2 Do we always need to be active listeners?
• 4 Ways to communicate better
• 4.1 Dementia
• 4.2 People with learning disabilities
• 5 Recording and reporting
• 5.1 Appropriate communication in the appropriate place
• 5.2 Language and perception
• Key points from Section 1
• Section 1 quiz
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Week2Mental health awareness
• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Terminology and mental health
• 1.1 The biomedical model
• 1.2 Stigma and discrimination
• 1.3 The legal framework
• 2 Types of mental health problems
• 2.1 Mood disorders
• 2.2 Anxiety disorders
• 2.3 Psychosis
• 2.4 Dementia
• 2.5 Other disorders
• 3 Experiencing mental health problems
• 4 Mental health care and treatment
• 4.1 Recovery
• 4.2 Therapies
• 5 Carer experience
• 5.1 Relationships and engagement
• Key points from Section 2
• Further information (optional)
• Section 2 quiz
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Week3Palliative and end-of-life care
• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Palliative care
• 2 Maximising quality of life
• 2.1 Palliative care for children
• 3 End-of-life care
• 4 Common core principles
• 4.1 Holistic common assessment
• 5 Approaching death
• 5.1 Advanced care plans
• 5.2 Signs that death is near
• Key points from Section 3
• Section 3 quiz
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Week4Positive risk-taking
• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Mental capacity
• 1.1 The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• 1.2 Assessing mental capacity
• 1.3 Mental capacity and decision making
• 2 Promoting independence
• 2.1 Care or support – what’s the difference?
• 2.2 People or technology?
• Types of assistive technology
• How does assistive technology work?
• 3 Least restrictive practice
• 3.1 Deprivation of liberty and restrictions
• 3.2 The search for the least restrictive option
• 4 Emergency care plans
• 4.1 Why is an emergency care plan necessary?
• 4.2 Drawing up an emergency care plan
• Key points from Section 4
• Further information (optional)
• Section 4 quiz
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Week5Looking after yourself
• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Why your well-being is important
• 1.1 What is well-being?
• 1.2 Improving mental well-being
• 1.3 Improving physical well-being
• 2 Coping with stress
• 2.1 What is stress?
• 2.2 How do you respond to stress?
• 2.3 How to manage stress
• 3 Work–life balance and professional boundaries
• 3.1 What is a work–life balance?
• 3.2 Unpaid carers
• 4 Person-centred care and self-management
• 4.1 Providing the right kind of support
• 4.2 A different approach to support
• 5 Where to find support
• Key points from Section 5
• Further information (optional)
• Section 5 quiz
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Week6Taking my learning further
• Taking my learning further
• Health and Social Care degree qualifications
• Acknowledgements