In conjunction with the UK Dementia Congress, our September/October issue is a special Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) edition, available to anyone for free.
Comment/Opinion
How lived experience shows us the way
It was our 17th UK Dementia Congress (UKDC) early in November and sadly for me my last. There has always been a special atmosphere at UKDC, quite unlike that of other conferences I’ve attended, and this year I found myself wondering what accounted for it. I’m stepping down from the editorship of this journal after ... Read more
Dementia Diaries
Milton S (2023) Dementia Diaries: Tony Husband. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)13-14. On Tuesday November 14 there was the funeral of Tony Husband. More than 1,500 people turned out to pay their respects to a much-loved man, who did so much for people living with dementia. A lot has been written about Tony in the ... Read more
News
Aston University in Birmingham played host to the 17th UK Dementia Congress (UKDC) last week (November 7 & 8) when delegates from every corner of the sector came together for a lively and thought-provoking conference and exhibition. Celebration and concern Graham Stokes, from UKDC’s main sponsor HC-One, kicked off the proceedings by reminding the audience of ... Read more
Opinion
Homeshare and dementia: the invaluable matches The homeshare movement has changed the way that people live for the better. As a circle of support, homeshare matches younger people (the average age of a sharer is 39) who need an affordable place to live, with older people (the average age of a householder is 84) who ... Read more
Opinion
“Asking for information about life story as a person living with dementia moves into a care home is common practice, but how can we use it to foster relationships and resilience?” Tanya Clover, head of dementia and personalisation at Porthaven Care Homes: Human beings have been coming together to share stories around the campfire since ... Read more
Hospitals
Introduction to the SPACE Principles – in hospital and prison
Fitzhenry R, Gould E, Kames J, Mezen D (2023) Introduction to the SPACE Principles – in hospital and prison. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)31-36. Caring well for people with dementia is an ambition enshrined in the Royal College of Nursing’s SPACE principles, which have gradually been extended from hospitals to other dementia care environments. Ruby ... Read more
Arts
Evaluating a reminiscence project (RYCT) in a residential care home
Woods S (2023) Evaluating a reminiscence project (RYCT) in a residential care home. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)21-23 As a well known arts-based reminiscence programme, Remembering Yesterday Caring Today has traditionally been delivered in community settings. Sandie Woods set out to discover how it would work in a care home and shares her findings. Author ... Read more
Care Homes
Digital technology as a tool for predicting deterioration in frail older people: A case study
Digital technology can provide a comprehensive picture of a care home resident’s health and wellbeing and identify any signs of deterioration. Anita Astle explains how this was done in her care home. Author Details Anita AstleAnita Astle is owner and manager of Wren Hall, a specialist dementia care nursing home in Nottinghamshire. Project learning points ... Read more
Arts
Armour J (2023) Love Through Double Glazing. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)17-18. Innovative work by Vamos in the pandemic and beyond Vamos is a full mask theatre company known for its performances and workshops exploring and supporting people living with dementia. Janie Armour highlights the innovative work it has done recently, particularly during the Covid ... Read more
Counselling/Psychotherapy
In Conversation with Dr Esther Ramsay Jones Smith E (2023) Grief and Dementia: In conversation with Dr Esther Ramsay Jones. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)19-20 We are familiar with the idea of grief after death but a carer may also experience “anticipatory grief” while a loved one is still alive. In conversation with Emma Smith, ... Read more
Care Homes
Reinventing a space for intergenerational use
Henshaw J (2023) Reinventing a space for intergenerational use. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)25-26. A former day care centre next to Suffolk care home “the Dell” has been reinvented as an intergenerational space where care home residents socialise with tenants of Dell View, independent living for people with learning disabilities. Joy Henshaw shows how programme ... Read more
Assessment/Diagnosis
Making a diagnosis of dementia using DiADeM (Diagnosing Advanced Dementia Mandate) in Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley DiADeM is a tool for diagnosing advanced dementia when it is neither necessary nor appropriate to involve local memory services. Mark Kitchingham and Kevin Tan describe a project to extend use of the tool from care homes to people’s ... Read more
Staff Development
Turning a crisis into an opportunity: taking dementia training online
Pearce S (2023) Turning a crisis into an opportunity: taking dementia training online. Journal of Dementia Care 31(6)23-24. Lockdowns during Covid gave the charity Understanding Dementia a chance to rethink its approach to training. Interactive online courses now provide a cost-effective means of training family carers and professionals, turning a crisis into an opportunity, says ... Read more
Book Review
Education and Training in Dementia Care: A Person-centred Approach
Claire Surr, Sarah Jane Smith and Isabelle Latham, Open University Press, ISBN 9780335251124, £25.99 If you are involved in providing dementia education and training in any shape or form, this book is a “must read”. The ambition to improve understanding of dementia and develop a skilled, confident and competent workforce has received much attention ... Read more
Resources
Alzheimer’s Society has published advice on what to do if someone with dementia has apathy, a condition in which the individual apparently loses interest in doing things they used to enjoy. In the advice, written by Clare Burgon, the Society says that apathy often goes unrecognised, even though it is common in most types of ... Read more
Resources
In Scotland the role of occupational therapists and other allied health professionals (AHPs) in dementia care is taken seriously, perhaps more seriously than elsewhere in the UK. The Alzheimer Scotland blog Let’s Talk about Dementia regularly carries stories from qualified and student OTs on their experiences and perceptions of dementia care while emphasising the crucial ... Read more