Community-based dementia research – a focus on those in the community who have been directly affected by dementia. This includes those with dementia, carers, caregivers and service providers. The research emphasis is on the ‘stories’ of those whose lived experiences can add to our understanding of life with dementia. With a strong bias toward quality of life, the research used an interpretive phenomenological analysis approach to understand the biography and experiences of people living with dementia in a community setting.
Research Project: A short case-study based project using feedback and practice examples from people living with dementia in the communities. The focus of the project was to understand the processes of engagement for people with dementia in terms of communication and find a commonality of themes that might work across a range of different presentations.
Dissemination: A separate monograph was published in “Dementia in Nursing Homes” (Schussler, S & Lohrmann, C : Springer, 2017) entitled ‘Communication in Dementia’. Here is the URL of the finished book: http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319498300
Research Project: A case-study of a pilot community project that established the role of Dementia Coordinator for four GP practices. Commissioned by the South East Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (SEK CCG) the pilot sought to determine whether the role of Dementia Coordinator would be useful in reducing hospital admissions and GP interventions. The Coordinator took referrals directly from GP’s and engage with patients to signpost and/or refer to appropriate services as required. This was a six month project (extended to eight months) and terminated in May 2015.
Dissemination:A project report here (DC Project Report) identified barriers and enablers to the service. The coordinator bridged social care and health care and, as such, encountered multiple examples of practice in which sector-specific silos of care were demonstrated. (March 2016)