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1 – 10 of 89Farrukh Akhtar, Nan Greenwood, Raymond Smith and Angela Richardson
Dementia cafés (also known as Alzheimer’s or memory cafés) have been running in the UK since 2000. The purpose of this paper is to report on the recommendations from recent…
Abstract
Purpose
Dementia cafés (also known as Alzheimer’s or memory cafés) have been running in the UK since 2000. The purpose of this paper is to report on the recommendations from recent research that interviewed family carers on their experiences of using the cafés.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was carried out in cafés in and around London, and focussed on informal, unpaid carers’ experiences of using them. In total, 11 carers from five different dementia cafés were interviewed, using semi-structured questionnaires. The results were thematically analysed.
Findings
The findings showed that carers had an overwhelming appreciation of the cafés and what they offered, but several of the findings led to the recommendations about the recruitment and training of café co-ordinators; how cafés present themselves and their services and how they can offer dedicated support to informal carers.
Originality/value
These recommendations will be of use to café organisers and commissioners, especially considering the dearth of information currently available in this area.
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Persons living with dementia (PLWD) constitute a global epidemic of more than 50 million people around the world, and tens of millions more serve as their caregivers. Public…
Abstract
Persons living with dementia (PLWD) constitute a global epidemic of more than 50 million people around the world, and tens of millions more serve as their caregivers. Public libraries must learn to assist, support, and sustain those with dementia in their communities. The good news is that some of the most powerful non-pharmacological interventions for PLWD – healthy lifestyle choices, lifelong learning for mental stimulation, and the stimulation and support of social networks – all are embedded in public libraries’ core mission. Thus, library services for the underserved population of PLWD and their caregivers can make a huge collective impact toward sustainable communities, social justice, and strong institutions.
Libraries can provide this help through dementia-friendly customer service and through programming that both supports individuals and develops and strengthens social relationships. Libraries can further promote good health and well-being, both through information resources and with targeted older adult programming. We can simultaneously contribute to social justice, mitigating the stigma and the deleterious effects of dementia which can be worse within minority communities. The positive impact of library dementia services can even be magnified through collective impact when different institutions within a community work together toward dementia-friendly standards.
This reflective chapter details the operation of library services for PLWD and their caregivers, providing concrete examples of dementia-friendly customer service, collection development, information and reference services, and a wide variety of older adult programming. Together, these library dementia services can create a powerful and positive impact through lifelong learning, mental stimulation, and social connections.
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Sharon A. Croisant, Amber L. Anthony, Chantele R. Singleton and Joseph A. Kotarba
The establishment of Science Cafés has become a popular strategy to enhance informal yet instruction-oriented interaction between medical and scientific experts and members of the…
Abstract
The establishment of Science Cafés has become a popular strategy to enhance informal yet instruction-oriented interaction between medical and scientific experts and members of the relevant local communities. The purpose of this chapter is to report on two significant findings of a mixed-methods evaluation of the SCI (Science and Communities Interact) Café. Method: The Clinical and Translational Science Award in the Institute for Translational Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston established an SCI Café program in 2013 to enable local residents to engage in dialogs with clinicians and researchers regarding their scientific interests and health concerns. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the program. Results: The essential experience of SCI Café (SC) is updating one's knowledge of a topic. The primary comparative and analytical feature of SC participation is expertise. Expertise varies in terms of the social position of the participants: graduate student, university staff, engaged participant, topical participant, and curious participant.
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This article explores the benefits of green exercise and open spaces for people living with dementia. These benefits are set within the existing general evidence base concerning…
Abstract
This article explores the benefits of green exercise and open spaces for people living with dementia. These benefits are set within the existing general evidence base concerning well‐being and connection with nature. The scale of the social, economic and demographic challenges are outlined to enable potential opportunities to be identified. The benefits of green exercise, contact and connection with nature and open spaces for people with dementia and the current research gaps are identified. A case study of Dementia Adventure is highlighted, as are implications for practice.
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Susan Mary Benbow, Anna Tsaroucha, Maurice Ashley, Kathleen Morgan and Paul Kingston
Through consultation with people living with dementia and carers, this paper aims to identify skills that patients and carers feel need to be developed in the workforce. This work…
Abstract
Purpose
Through consultation with people living with dementia and carers, this paper aims to identify skills that patients and carers feel need to be developed in the workforce. This work is part of a project to develop competencies for the West Midlands dementia workforce.
Design/methodology/approach
People living with a dementia and carers were contacted through cafés, a carers' group and memory group, and two people contributed interviews to the analysis. All materials were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis.
Findings
Feedback was received from 69 individuals. In total, six major themes were identified: knowledge about dementia, person centred care, communication, relationships, support and helping people engage in activities.
Originality/value
It is argued that people living with dementia and carers bring unique and valuable perspectives to an analysis of the skills of the dementia workforce, which grounds the required skills in the relationship between the worker and the person and family they are working with. This different emphasis needs to be considered and addressed throughout dementia training and education.
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Nadezhda Koberskaya and Bogdan Kobierskij
This study aims to compare two national dementia plans and analyse the approach of each state to the issue.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to compare two national dementia plans and analyse the approach of each state to the issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Comparative analysis, legal analysis, policy analysis
Findings
Although research is central to both plans, the practical implementation of the Russian and UK plans differs. The Russian action plan on dementia is advisory in nature and does not propose specific programmes for research funding. Two plans have different approach to the role of education and risk factors.
Research limitations/implications
Lack of information on Russian regional strategies does not allow to compare regional differences between two countries.
Originality/value
This study illustrates several weak points in the UK and Russian dementia policies, which should be addressed to tackle the dementia problem in both countries.
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Steve Iliffe and Jill Manthorpe
The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential of public health perspectives to “come to the aid” of dementia research and practice.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential of public health perspectives to “come to the aid” of dementia research and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on research and policy papers.
Findings
This paper outlines some potential preventive interventions, focussing particularly on life-course phenomena like child poverty, diet and pollution, on the biological mechanisms that enable psychosocial interventions, and on the status of dementia as a syndemic disorder.
Research limitations/implications
This paper presents the opinions of the authors alone. It is based on recent research evidence and the authors’ experiences of dementia research, education and services. The implications for social scientists and for dementia research funders are contained in discussion of the need for research on prevention and social support for people with dementia and their families. While the evidence to guide primary prevention using psychosocial methods is less secure, the paper outlines a large secondary prevention research agenda in dementia.
Practical implications
Methodological approaches that facilitate harmonisation, pooling and comparison of data, are needed. In practical terms the paper argues that there is a need to know if and how psychosocial interventions work, and improve quality of life or even influence harder outcomes.
Originality/value
Few papers have considered the implications of a public health approach to dementia other than taking an epidemiological approach and focusing on the problems of dementia and rising numbers. This paper argues that a wider view of public health may be of particular relevance to dementia syndrome.
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Nusrat Hafiz, Md. Fazla Mohiuddin, Ahmad Shaharudin Abdul Latiff, Ida Md. Yasin, Sazali Abd Wahab and Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff
Although scaling is considered a “hot topic”, very little is known about how knowledge management (KM) assists in scaling social impact. To fill this gap, the authors draw on…
Abstract
Purpose
Although scaling is considered a “hot topic”, very little is known about how knowledge management (KM) assists in scaling social impact. To fill this gap, the authors draw on knowledge-based and social capital theories and investigate how various KM practices and external networks (e.g. bridging social capital) affect scaling social impact in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS version 23, the authors conducted a survey with 354 women leaders who are working in women-led social enterprises in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Findings
The authors found that knowledge codification, training and mentoring, and bridging social capital are positively and significantly associated with scaling social impact.
Originality/value
This is one of the pioneering study that explore how KM impacts scaling social impact for women-led social enterprises in the context of a developing country. The authors also extend knowledge-based theory by applying it at the individual level. Finally, the authors enhance the understanding of women entrepreneurship by showing that women entrepreneurs in developing countries are also utilizing bridging social capital to overcome challenges associated with scaling social impact.
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The purpose of this paper is to share the key findings of the Wandering in the Woods action research project conducted by Dementia Adventure. Practical implications for changing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to share the key findings of the Wandering in the Woods action research project conducted by Dementia Adventure. Practical implications for changing practices in the dementia care and health and well‐being sectors are highlighted.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered using the participatory appraisal method in small groups both before and after “woodland adventure” days out.
Findings
There was a 41 per cent increase in participants rating “exercise” as a factor which is “very important” to them. A number of potential physical, emotional, and social benefits of activity out in woodlands, for people with dementia, were identified.
Research limitations/implications
The research is conducted with three relatively small groups, which vary in composition across the study, for practical reasons associated with care and capability of participants.
Practical implications
Suggestions are shared and questions posed for individuals wanting to practically embed the learning from this project.
Originality/value
Research looking at the benefits of green exercise and experiences of people living with dementia in care taking activity out in nature is very limited, this paper significantly contributes to this growing body of knowledge.
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