Discussing End of Life with People Living with Dementia – The Coffee and Coffins Experience
Parallel 4
18 November, 2026 12:00 – 1:10 pmTechnology, Taboos and Open Conversations
Catherine Wood
Module Leader, MSc Dementia, University of Hull
Cambridge Educational Group
Summary
End-of-life preferences are often overlooked among people living with dementia, despite their importance. Advance care planning is widely used but inconsistently implemented, particularly in community settings, and frequently excludes the individual’s voice. Conversations are often avoided due to limited confidence among professionals and caregivers, alongside the enduring taboo surrounding death and dying.
The “Coffee and Coffins” model addresses these challenges through informal, café-style group discussions that create a safe, supportive environment for people with mild to moderate dementia. Developed through PhD research, the model was piloted with people living with dementia, carers, and professionals, demonstrating a clear appetite for earlier, more open conversations and improved confidence in facilitating them.
This interactive session will immerse delegates in the Coffee and Coffins approach, combining a concise overview of the evidence base with a facilitated, café-style discussion. Participants will actively experience the model, gaining practical insight, confidence, and tools to apply it in care home and community settings.