Caring for people with dementia: a guide for nursing students

Common forms of dementia explained, plus advice on symptom management and how to tailor communication to the individual’s needs

With more than 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia, nursing students on placement in a variety of settings – from the emergency department to the community – are likely to encounter patients at different stages of the condition throughout their training.

‘Nursing students can play a massive role in supporting people with dementia and their families,’ says Sharon Yates, academy lead Admiral Nurse (professional development) with charity Dementia UK .

Here’s a guide to what you need to know.

What are the most common types