Current Issue

In this issue:

Mary Tilki and Mohammed Rauf highlight the needs of mixed ethnicity families, where partners or younger family members are caring for relatives whose culture and language they do not understand

Zoe Elkins and Di Trinder describe an independent evaluation of SPECAL Practitioner training for staff of a day centre service

Saff Davies and Teresa Atkinson describe the development of a specialised training package for care partners of people with learning disabilities

New year brings change

By Sue Benson Welcome to this first issue of 2024, a year in which we hope the journal and our Dementia Community will grow and thrive. The energy and warmth we felt at last year’s UK Dementia Congress gives us hope that we can work together to improve services and the experience of all involved ... Read more

Dementia care in mixed ethnicity families

Tilki M, Rauf M (2024) Dementia care in mixed ethnicity families. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 16-18. A fast-growing minority community in the UK is that of mixed ethnicity families, leading to more and more partners or younger family members caring for relatives whose culture and language they largely do not understand. Mary Tilki and ... Read more

The Photobook Project: Empowerment through creativity

Robinson-Carter E (2024) The Photobook Project: Empowerment through creativity. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 23-25. Ellie Robinson-Carter describes the Photobook Project: how creativity and the arts empower people living with dementia in global majority communities living in the UK Author Details Ellie Robinson-Carter is Founding Artistic Director of The Photobook Project ©www.the-photobook-project.com Some examples of ... Read more

SPECAL: a blueprint for sensitive communication

Elkins Z, Trinder D (2024) SPECAL: a blueprint for sensitive communication. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 26-29. Zoe Elkins and Di Trinder describe an independent evaluation of a change in approach for a day centre service. The study found that a small investment in SPECAL Practitioner training led to significantly greater contentment and raised self-esteem ... Read more

A manager’s guide to arts in care homes

Teader A (2024) A manager’s guide to arts in care homes. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 13. Alison Teader describes a new resource from NAPA, created to inform and inspire managers and activity and care teams. Appleby House (Care UK) Art Studio (photo by NAPA Arts in Care Homes). Oskar Design Oskar Design "Art is ... Read more

Reducing fire risks in vulnerable groups: a partnership approach

Murdoch E, Height M (2024) Reducing fire risks in vulnerable groups: a partnership approach. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 14-16. Emma Murdoch and Matthew Height describe a successful project to equip health and social care staff with skills and confidence to include fire risk in their assessments, and promote partnership with fire and rescue services. ... Read more

Preparing to care: Training for carers of people with dementia and a learning disability

Davies S, Atkinson T (2024) Preparing to care: Training for carers of people with dementia and a learning disability. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 30-33. People with learning disabilities are at high risk of developing dementia, and they will face different and additional challenges. Care partners who know the person well play a vital role, ... Read more

Implementing a Digital Life Stories Project on an inpatient dementia ward: Initial findings and reflections

Smith A, Achiampong J, Burke Hyman A, Lord N (2024) Implementing a Digital Life Stories Project on an inpatient dementia ward: Initial findings and reflections. Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 34-37. Paper-based life story work has well known benefits, but how can it be extended for the digital age? Aaron Smith and colleagues found significant ... Read more

Sailing into uncharted waters. The story behind Admiral Nursing

Jane Jason’s parents Ninot and Joe at Buckingham Palace, where Joe was awarded a CBE. ‘Time for a cuppa’, launched in 2010, became a regular fund-raising event In this beautifully produced book, Jane Jason tells the story of Admiral Nursing and what is now Dementia UK. It is a personal story and also the story ... Read more

Milestones, achievements and a strong ‘family’ bond

Jason J (2024) Milestones, achievements and a strong ‘family’ bond.Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 20. Caption: Jane Jason at the book’s launch (credit: Ingrid Weel Photography). Researching Sailing into uncharted waters: The story behind Admiral Nursing was an emotional and rewarding journey, as its author Jane Jason relates The idea of writing a book evolved ... Read more

A duck out of water: dementia and care home life

Johns H (2024) A duck out of water: dementia and care home life.Journal of Dementia Care 32(1) 21-22. Helen Johns shares her and her mother’s experience of care home life, reflecting especially on how residents spend their day. Relatives and friends must be better supported, she argues, and enabled to become true partners in care ... Read more

Dementia Diaries Jan/Feb 24

Many readers will be familiar with the efforts over recent years to recast dementia as a disability. One of the main drivers behind this is an attempt to establish a conversation about applying a social model of disability to dementia. In brief, the social model of disability describes how a person is disabled, not just ... Read more

JDC Asks Challenge: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Tell us what you are doing to make dementia care more inclusive In the September/October 2023 Journal of Dementia Care, a special issue on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in dementia care, we invited readers to send us examples of excellent initiatives which are helping to make dementia services more inclusive. The invitation is still open! ... Read more

News and resources Jan Feb 2024

This is a brief round-up of the news and resources regularly posted and updated on our website. See more at: www.journalofdementiacare.co.uk Young onset dementia risk A major study, published by the JAMA Neurological Journal, has provided greater insight into the risk factors associated with developing young onset dementia (dementia under the age of 65). The ... Read more

Evidence for practice/Research news

This section aims to keep readers up to date with research in dementia care and the current best evidence to support practice. We aim to provide a channel of two-way communication between researchers and practitioners, so that research findings influence practice and practitioners’ concerns are fed into the research agenda.  We welcome contributions such as: ... Read more