From Frontline Dementia Care to Academia: What the Workforce Needs Us to Hear
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Parallel 1
17 November, 2026 12:00 – 1:10 pmMini Presentations Group 1
Pamela Towers is a lecturer in Health and Social Care, PhD researcher in dementia studies at Lancaster University, and Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA). Her background includes frontline dementia care, care management, dementia education, and ongoing practical experience within care settings. Her academic interests include advanced dementia, personhood, psychosocial and relational approaches to care, and doll therapy. Her interest in dementia care was shaped both professionally and personally through witnessing the impact of systemic pressures, limited understanding, and gaps in compassionate support during her father’s experience of Lewy body dementia.
Summary
This presentation explores the journey from frontline dementia care worker and care manager to lecturer and PhD researcher in dementia studies. Drawing on reflective practice and anonymised experiences from dementia care settings, the session will examine the emotional realities of dementia care work, workforce pressures, and the importance of valuing experiential knowledge within dementia education, leadership, and research.
The presentation will explore themes including emotional labour, relational care, supervision and support, workforce retention, and the challenges of sustaining person-centred care within pressured systems. Alongside identifying barriers, the session will highlight examples of resilience, meaningful practice, and the knowledge held within the frontline workforce.
Audience reflection and discussion will be encouraged throughout. The presentation aims to contribute to ongoing conversations about how the dementia sector can better support, retain, and value its workforce while strengthening cultures of compassionate and relational care.