Dementia Voice creating change in policy and practice

Research

Dementia Voice is committed to improving care through applied research, research that has practical implications for practice in the care of older people with dementia and those with mental health issues. We commission and conduct research with our partner Housing 21 and with external partners, working closely and in collaboration with universites across the UK.

We are currently developing a national research strategy and programme of research work and are planning to initiate a Consortium for research in dementia care. More news on this will be added shortly.

Current Research Projects

Evaluation of a Pilot Smart Intermediate Care Flat

This is a collaboration with the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) and Bristol Intermediate Care Service to measure the impact of autonomous smart home equipment in a pilot Intermediate Care flat (Hillside Court, Bristol) and to follow-up clients who return to their own homes. Click here for more details about the Smart Flat.

Consulting with People with Memory Loss

Funded by a Department of Health Section 64 grant, this project is led by people with dementia and their carers. It is an action research project to consider the issues involved in establishing reference groups of people with dementia for the purposes of informing research and service provision. Lead researcher is Pay Taylor at UWE.

INDEPENDENT project

Smart house technologies for people with dementia. The aim of the project is to develop technology and design solutions to help enable people with dementia to live independently, to empower them and to improve their quality of life wherever they live, for example through prompting devices to help with tasks of daily living, and the use of technology for communications and leisure. Collaboration with the Universities of Sheffield and Liverpool.

Recent Research Projects

Rehabilitation Services for Older People with Dementia

Funded by a Department of Health Section 64 grant (April 2003 - March 2006) the main project outcome was a service development checklist for planners, commissioners and providers of rehabilitation services for people with dementia and their carers. This was developed through a comprehensive consultation process and now sits on the Change Agent Team website along with signposts to further sources of information at www.changeagentteam.org.uk/index.cfm?pid=266. Collaboration with the University of the West of England.

Very Sheltered Housing and People with Dementia: Opening Doors to Independence

Dementia Voice were partners in this three year longitudinal study exploring the contribution of extra care housing to the care and support of older people with dementia, funded by the Housing Corporation and Housing21. The April 2006 report,

· Evaluates the contribution that extra care housing makes to the long term care and support of people with dementia

· Makes recommendations for good practice for policy makers and housing, care and support commissioners and providers

· Communicates the views of older people with dementia and their friends and relatives about extra care housing.

The report summary is available for download at http://www.housing21.co.uk/pdf/report_summary.pdf.

I’DGO – Inclusive Design for Getting Outdoors

The I’DGO project identified ways of ensuring the outdoor environment is designed inclusively, to improve the quality of life for older people. In focussing on the changing needs of older people, the consortium addresses issues that are relevant to disabled people regardless of age. More information at http://www.idgo.ac.uk.

Details of more research projects with links to their reports here.

For more information please contact Rachael Dutton, Research Manager, on 0117 975 4892 or Rachael.Dutton@housing21.co.uk