‘Waiting Well’ project showcased through exhibition and resources
The University of Bournemouth’s ‘Waiting Well’ project – in collaboration with Help and Care who provide Dorset’s Dementia Coordinator Service – is being showcased through an exhibition and the publication of free resources.
Researchers on the Waiting Well project examined carer support needs prior to a dementia diagnosis against the backdrop of the often long waiting times from referral to assessment.
Taking a co-production approach, the project utilised art and photography to record people’s feelings and expressions of need. Family carers were engaged in collaging A5 postcards to express their pre-diagnosis experience, their caring roles, and what they need to stay physically, emotionally and mentally well.
A total of 112 postcards were collaged and have formed ‘The Art of Keeping Well’ exhibition at the Lighthouse in Poole. Find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/the-art-of-keeping-well/, which has also featured on ITV Meridian news: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/an-exhibition-in-poole-aims-to-shed-light-on-the-experiences-of-carers/c91yjys.
Thoughts shared by family carers as part of this project include these from two adult children supporting their parents:
“I feel very alone in this waiting period. It was 6 months to the Memory Assessment and now we have to wait 5 or 6 months to go back for the diagnosis.”
“You don’t know what you don’t know – and nobody tells you.”
Dr Natalie Djohari, Lead Researcher on the Waiting Well project, says:
“Prior to diagnosis, family carers are supporting loved ones without support and guidance, increasing the risk of crisis-driven care, avoidable hospital admissions and carer burnout. Our research sought to capture these early experiences and identify what support could be offered sooner.”
The resources that have been published in PDF format from this project are:
Full report on Waiting Well: https://nccdsw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Full-Research-Report-Waiting-Well.pdf
Key Findings: https://nccdsw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Key-Findings-Waiting-Well.pdf