Neurological Disorders: How to Provide Care

Learn more about duty of care for people with neurodegenerative diseases

Whether you’re a qualified nurse who has not previously worked in neurology, a health care assistant, volunteer, or a family caregiver, the challenge of providing care for people with long-term neurological disorders can be daunting.

This four-week course is designed to help take away the concerns over not understanding enough about the diagnosis and help you feel confident to provide the right type of care.

You’ll explore common anxieties associated with a caregiver role and learn how to overcome them including dealing with ethical dilemmas, defusing aggressive behaviour, and navigating difficult discussions such as end-of-life conversations.

You’ll also learn skills such as how to communicate reassuringly and how to help with activities of living such as washing and dressing, eating and drinking, and managing continence.

Grow your understanding of neurological disorders by exploring the pathophysiology

You’ll increase your understanding of the diagnosis of a degenerative neurological disorder by exploring the fundamentals of brain anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.

This course has been developed as a collaborative project between the University of East Anglia School of Health Sciences, and the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses to help you embrace this dignified, valued, and crucial work with a level of confidence.

Supported by

The Neurological Council of Western Australia is a not-for-profit supporting people with neurological symptoms or conditions across a vast state, to ensure equity of access and the best possible health and functional outcomes.

This course is designed for anyone working or caring for people with neurological disorders.

You could be a family caregiver or a nurse/health care assistant working in long-term care facilities.

This course is designed for anyone working or caring for people with neurological disorders.

You could be a family caregiver or a nurse/health care assistant working in long-term care facilities.

• Understand fundamental brain anatomy and physiology and pathophysiology relating to common long-term and degenerative neurological disorders.
• Reflect upon the perspectives of people directly affected by neurological disorders, their family members and health professionals regarding living with the conditions.
• Promote mental health, appropriately recognise and respond to problems with sexuality, and support end of life planning for people with neurological disorders.
• Assess ways to support people with neurological disorders; maintaining safety and comfort, movement control, breathing, speaking, eating and drinking, managing continence, and sleeping.
• Demonstrate support for people with neurological disorders in making days meaningful.
• Engage in processes towards addressing difficult ethical dilemmas.