The training has made interactions with patients feel calmer and more connected. There’s less frustration on both sides because I’m approaching things with more patience and awareness. With colleagues, I’ve noticed it’s encouraged more teamwork, we’re more in sync when it comes to understanding a client’s needs and behaviour, and we share strategies more openly. It’s created a more supportive environment overall.

The training was practical and deeply relevant to everyday care, especially around personhood and end-of-life wishes. The simulation helped me truly understand what people with dementia experience, and I now speak to patients even when they cannot respond. I apply what I learned daily to make patients’ days better. I now consciously speak to them and apply personhood principles to make their days better. I would recommend this training to all staff, including social workers.

What I valued most was learning through real patient cases and activities. I no longer rush through care or try to correct patients but take time to be present and communicate. The biopsychosocial approach has changed how I understand behaviour and respond to patients. There is a clear difference in how staff who attended the training approach patients compared to those who have not.

The training is very relevant to my role. I learned new things. I would say it exceeded my expectations. I like the content of the training, we were well engaged, and the trainers were very helpful. The most helpful aspect was engaging in the simulation activities where we experienced how clients living with dementia may see and feel things with vision difficulties and peripheral neuropathy they may have.

Using the models we were taught has been useful in real time. It’s made me more aware of how I approach certain situations, especially when a client is agitated or confused. I’ve been more conscious about giving time and space and adjusting how I speak or respond. The training helped me step back and think about the ‘why’ behind behaviours, rather than just the behaviour itself, which has changed how I react and support the client.

The course went beyond medical care and highlighted the psychological and social dimensions of dementia. It reminded me of the importance of connection, even when patients can no longer communicate verbally. The Personhood Tree and STEPS to Care tools helped me better understand patients’ backgrounds and needs. Since the training, colleagues continue to discuss and remind each other of what we learned, which has been very valuable.

Although we understand dementia theoretically, the simulation was the first time we experienced how difficult everyday tasks can be. Even tasks involving simpler comorbidities were extremely challenging, which helped me realise how difficult everyday activities can be for patients who cannot express their struggles. Completing the tasks still gave me a sense of accomplishment, which made me reflect on the importance of allowing patients to engage in activities rather than rushing to do everything for them.

I feel confident in sustaining these changes long term because the training didn’t just give us theory, it gave us real, practical tools and mindset shifts that actually work in day-to-day care. Using the models we were taught has already become second nature in many situations, and the positive impact on the patient’s comfort and responses reinforces why it’s worth sticking with.

I appreciated the focus on person-centred care, particularly empathy, respect, and dignity in supporting people living with dementia. The training shifted how I communicate, encouraging me to listen more closely, attend to non-verbal cues, and respond with patience. I now take greater care to understand each person’s history, preferences, and triggers, which helps build trust and reduce anxiety. I’ve also become more aware of how environmental factors such as noise, lighting, and clutter affect wellbeing, and how small adjustments can improve comfort and orientation.