Dementia Orientation: What is Dementia, Really?
A 2-hour introductory workshop delivered by Alison Watson-Shields, PAC® Certified Independent Trainer, using Positive Approach to Care® curriculum and video content developed by Teepa Snow.
About this session
Most people think they know what dementia is. Many assume it’s the same as Alzheimer’s, that it’s mainly about memory loss, or that the person living with it is simply not trying. This session gently challenges those assumptions — and replaces them with something more accurate, more compassionate, and genuinely more useful.
Dementia Orientation is designed to help participants develop a real appreciation for what happens in the brain when dementia is present. Rather than focusing on loss and decline, it explores what remains — and introduces practical, supportive ways of responding that make a real difference.
This is not a traditional lecture. The session is experiential and interactive throughout, using video content from Teepa Snow, paired activities, discussion, and hands-on exercises that help participants understand — not just intellectually, but physically — what it feels like when the brain changes.
What you will learn
By the end of this session you will be able to:
- Describe the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Identify the four truths about all forms of dementia
- Understand how vision changes with dementia and why this matters for how we approach people
- Recognise how language and communication are affected — and what is retained
- Understand the three zones of awareness and the significance of visual, verbal, and touch cues
- Identify when pausing your own agenda is the most effective response
What makes this session different
Dementia Orientation is built around experiential learning — the kind that stays with you long after you’ve left the room. You won’t just hear about how vision changes with dementia; you’ll experience it. You won’t just be told that communication works differently; you’ll feel what it’s like when one in every four words disappears.
This approach, developed by Teepa Snow and Positive Approach to Care®, is designed to build empathy alongside knowledge — helping participants move from understanding dementia in theory to responding to it with genuine skill and confidence in practice.
Who is this session for?
Dementia Orientation is suitable for anyone who wants a solid, accessible introduction to dementia — with no prior knowledge required. It works particularly well for:
Care home and domiciliary care staff — especially those new to dementia care or looking to refresh and deepen their understanding. Family carers who want to make sense of what their loved one is experiencing. Community professionals — including social prescribers, library staff, first responders, and anyone who regularly encounters people living with dementia in their work. Members of the public who want to understand dementia better.
It can also serve as a standalone session or as an introduction to longer programmes such as Getting to Know Dementia.
Practical details
Format: In person, interactive and experiential
Duration: 2 hours
Delivery: Available at your organisation’s location, at a venue, or adapted for online delivery
Group size: Suitable for small to medium groups
Cost: Pricing on request
Book or enquire
Dementia Orientation can be booked as a standalone session for your team or organisation, or arranged as an open community session. To find out about upcoming dates or to discuss a bespoke booking, get in touch.