Dementia - Vale 50+ Strategy Forum

From “Journeying through Dementia” to “Bellfield in Bloom”. It’s not new, it’s “Occupational Therapy.”

David Jones — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:00:05 +0000

Journeying through Dementia is an Occupational Therapy evidence-based 10-week group programme for people with a new diagnosis of Dementia (Craig et al 2023). From our second Journeying through Dementia cohort, participants expressed a desire to continue meeting in a supportive and meaningful environment. What makes the group unique is that it brings together people from multiple backgrounds and areas who share the Journeying through Dementia experience. As a result, gardening has come to represent much more than simply looking after plants—it provides opportunities for friendship, connection, personal growth and ongoing support.

Creating Benefits for Everyone

The group chose to focus on improving the outdoor spaces at the Bellfield Centre in Stirling, creating benefits for both participants and residents.

For Journeying through Dementia participants, the project offers:

A purposeful and enjoyable activity
Continued social connection and peer support
Opportunities to develop skills and confidence

For Bellfield Centre residents, the project provides:

More attractive and colourful outdoor spaces
Increased activity and community engagement
The enjoyment of watching flowers and vegetables grow throughout the season

Our project began with a walk around the grounds and conversations with individuals who were keen to see more colour and variety introduced into the gardens. At the time, the outdoor spaces consisted largely of box hedging and ornamental grasses. There were four raised beds containing tulips and hyacinths, along with plenty of seating areas, but relatively little to inspire visitors or encourage engagement with the environment.

Bringing the Gardens to Life

To transform the space, we focused on creating areas that would be visually appealing and stimulate the senses throughout the year. Activities included:

Sowing seeds and setting up potato bags
Creating “seed snails”
Testing and improving the soil
Planting a mix of perennials for long-term interest and annuals for vibrant seasonal colour. Selecting plants and vegetables that would engage sight, smell & touch

Working Together

As the project progressed, we weeded around trees and benches, prepared the soil and planted new additions across the site. Throughout our work, residents regularly waved and stopped to chat, enjoying the activity and taking an interest in the improvements being made.

Harvesting the Results

The Bellfield in Bloom project demonstrated how sustained engagement and meaningful activity can lead to visible and rewarding outcomes. Vegetable growing became an important aspect of the group’s activities. Edible planting offered opportunities to follow the full growing cycle and Displays helped showcase achievements and encourage participation from residents, visitors and the wider community.

Community Impact: Seeing people connect with the project reinforced the value of what we were creating—an outdoor space that supports wellbeing, encourages social interaction and continues to grow alongside the friendships formed through the Journeying through Dementia experience.

Dementia : Engaging in any gardening activity can be surprisingly powerful for people living with Dementia. It is not just a pleasant pastime—it supports emotional, cognitive, and physical wellbeing in several meaningful ways.

1. Reduces anxiety and agitation

Being outdoors, surrounded by plants and natural rhythms, has a calming effect. Gardening can lower stress and reduce common dementia-related behaviours like restlessness or agitation. The sensory experience—sunlight, fresh air, soil textures—helps ground people in the moment.

2. Stimulates memory and cognition

Familiar gardening tasks (watering, planting, pruning) can trigger long-term memories and reinforce a sense of identity. Even if short-term memory is impaired, these ingrained routines often remain accessible and comforting.

3. Encourages physical activity

Simple gardening activities promote gentle movement—stretching, bending, walking—which supports mobility, balance, and overall health without feeling like “exercise.”

4. Enhances mood and sense of purpose

Caring for plants gives a clear, visible outcome. Watching something grow can foster accomplishment, boost self-esteem, and provide a sense of responsibility—important for emotional wellbeing.

5. Supports social interaction

Gardening in groups—whether in care homes or community gardens—creates opportunities for conversation and shared activity, helping reduce isolation.

6. Engages the senses

Plants stimulate sight, smell, touch, and even taste (herbs, fruits). Sensory engagement is especially valuable in dementia care because it helps maintain connections to the environment.

7. Improves sleep patterns

Exposure to natural daylight and physical activity during the day can help regulate sleep-wake cycles, which are often disrupted in dementia.

Conclusion. “Activity” and its therapeutic use is at the core of the philosophy of the profession of Occupational Therapy. It is central to the belief that by “doing” an activity you can influence your physical and mental health. As this is our first year, overall, we are looking forward to watching our efforts bloom and we hope to continue adding members to the group from Journeying through Dementia. Other future options are that we join with other community gardening groups within the local area.

Practical tips for dementia-friendly gardening:

Keep tasks simple and repetitive.
Mindfulness activities can be used when completing activities, focussing the attention on “What do you See, Hear, Feel, Smell.”
Use raised beds or containers for easy access.
Choose low-maintenance, non-toxic plants.
Label plants clearly with words or pictures.
Focus on enjoyment rather than results.

Contributor: Claire Wilkie-Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Stirling Community Mental Health Older Adult Service.

References:

Craig C Fisher H Gray A Hunter E. 2023 Journeying through Dementia. In: Maclean F et al (eds). Occupational therapy and dementia. Promoting inclusion, rights and opportunities for people living with dementia. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Holly Farrell (2017) “Gardening for Mindfulness” Royal Horticultural Society.

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you. AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link

The post From “Journeying through Dementia” to “Bellfield in Bloom”. It’s not new, it’s “Occupational Therapy.” first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Dementia awareness walk

martyn jones — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:45:13 +0000

Mark and Pauline Collard

Dementia Friendly Barry Community

As Seen on ITV Wales News

@Glastonbarry

EMAIL : dfbarrycommunity@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FEmo52898/

All member requests and postings are subject to approval.

DEMENTIA VALE WEBSITE: Home | Dementia Vale

The post Dementia awareness walk first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Dementia Friendly Community Cafe

martyn jones — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 18:39:53 +0000

“Turning Barry Blue presents the launch of a new Dementia Friendly Community Cafe at Barry Central Bowls Club, Gladstone Park Barry. Opening on Wednesday 7th October 2026 and then every Wednesday, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. All food and drink is free. Donations will be accepted towards the running costs. There will be a warm welcome for you all.”

The post Dementia Friendly Community Cafe first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Individual music therapy and brain health

David Jones — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 06:25:16 +0000

Did you know music CAN be used therapeutically to restore optimial functioning, despite significant structural damage to the brain? When we think about receiving a diagnosis of a dementia and the possible impact of that on our brain health, many of us would assume that it could be catastrophic. What if we knew that music could be used therapeutically to help restore optimal functioning, despite significant structural damage to the brain?

The current World Health Organization (WHO) definition of brain health refers to ‘the state of brain functioning that allows… individuals to reach their full potential throughout their lives, regardless of the presence or absence of disorders.’ By this definition, brain health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of optimal functioning across ’cognitive, sensory, socio-emotional, behavioural and motor domains’.

This is the story of Frank who can perform, experience creative freedom and contribute to the life of his community through the interactive use of music, despite living with an advanced stage dementia.

Frank has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and has been a care home resident for nearly two years. Frank receives regular, weekly, individual music therapy sessions and attends a large, music therapy group within the home.

Music Therapy is a clinical intervention in the UK, delivered by trained and registered therapists. Both client and therapist can actively make music together, using music as the primary means of expression, communication and change.

Music and singing had always been a great hobby of Frank’s. His voice was much admired and he used to perform at functions in bands with friends.

Since his diagnosis, Frank has become increasingly confused with long periods of disorientation and frustration. His mood can dip in the late afternoon, becoming very restless, sometimes unable to have his evening meal or interact positively with others.

Due to the role that music had previously played in Frank’s life and to observed positive responses to music, it seemed that music therapy might be an appropriate intervention for him.

In session one, Frank expressed interest in playing the guitar- a lifelong ambition. He was offered one to explore straightaway. This seemed to provide a focus, where concentration had previously been difficult and he took it seriously, asking for feedback on how to hold and play it.

The guitar was tuned so it sounded satisfying for him to play and he now uses it in creative ways: strumming with a plectrum, creating different rhythms and picking out strings individually with his fingers to produce different effects.

I often accompany him on keyboard and we sing together, taking turns to sing different lines. Frank can create his own song-words, expressing thoughts, feelings and his love of blues music. He seems to find a freedom in this and his previous experience of music seems to come to the fore.

Frank plays a starring role in the weekly group, taking requests from others and performing solos. He looks happy when he sings and to be absorbed in the music. In that moment, he is healthy, he is well and there are no outward, observable signs that he is living with any debilitating neurological disorder. He is performing using his whole self, he and the music are as one in what the neuroscientist Daniel Levitin describes as ‘flow state’.

How is this possible? It seems to be largely due to the neuroanatomy of music, where music is represented throughout the brain in all its main areas, creating expansive networks which can continue to function despite more localised damage elsewhere.

The person-led use of music, utilising a person’s previous life experiences, their preferences, current wishes and support needs, can positively impact observed brain health in a transformative way. Music therapy helps to support Frank’s mood, his dexterity and global functioning. It has facilitated the learning of a new skill plus positive and creative interactions with others. This may help to reinforce his sense of identity, his self-esteem and his role in his current environment.

Contributor: Laura Bolton, Music Therapist with Nazareth Care Charitable Trust

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

(this blog was previously posted here and has been reposted with permission)

COMING SOON in 2027

Email us at AHPDementia@alzscot.org for more information about the CPD AHP rights-based dementia rehabilitation module on 13^th and 14^th May 2027

Source link

The post Individual music therapy and brain health first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Establishing the First Meeting Centre in a Hospital Setting: A Nurse Consultant’s Perspective

David Jones — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 06:15:14 +0000

Creating dementia-friendly hospital environments remains one of the most pressing challenges in modern nursing practice. For people living with dementia or cognitive impairment, a hospital admission can be distressing, disorientating, and overwhelming. This blog reflects on the establishment of the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) Meeting Centre and explores what can be achieved when person-centred care, third-sector collaboration, and nursing leadership come together.

The Role of Meeting Centres Scotland

Meeting Centres Scotland is a charitable organisation dedicated to developing inclusive, supportive spaces for people living with dementia and their families. These centres provide opportunities for meaningful activity, peer connection, and emotional support, while also offering practical guidance to care partners. The overarching vision is to establish a national network of Meeting Centres across Scotland, working collaboratively with communities, health and social care services, and academic partners to deliver personalised, relationship-based dementia support.

Why a Meeting Centre in a Hospital?

The RVH Meeting Centre (now named The Clubbie by members) was conceived with a clear purpose: to provide a dedicated, safe, and therapeutic space within RVH where people living with dementia and cognitive impairment and their families could be supported during hospital admission. Hospital environments can exacerbate confusion, anxiety, and distress for people with dementia, often leading to increased behavioural and psychological symptoms.

By integrating a Meeting Centre into the hospital setting, this project aimed to:

Improve the hospital experience for people living with dementia
Provide meaningful activity and social connection during admission
Reduce stress and distress for patients, families, and staff
Support workforce development and interprofessional learning
Bridge the gap between hospital and community care by testing a new model to providing care

Crucially, the Meeting Centre model recognises that wellbeing is integral to recovery and rehabilitation, not separate from it.

Alignment with NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation Priorities

We are very grateful to the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation for funding the project for two years. The project closely aligns with several key priorities of NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation.

Enhancing Patient Care and Wellbeing

Hospitalisation can be particularly stressful for people living with dementia. The Meeting Centre offers a calm, familiar environment where individuals can take part in cognitive stimulation, creative activities, gentle physical exercise, and social engagement tailored to their preferences and abilities. These interventions promote mental and physical wellbeing, reduce agitation, and support dignity and identity, contributing to more positive hospital experiences and outcomes.

Supporting Families and Care Partners

Families often experience significant emotional and physical strain during a loved one’s hospital admission. The Meeting Centre provides them with a welcoming space to receive support, share experiences, and access information about dementia care and community resources. This holistic approach reflects nursing values of family-centred care and recognises the wellbeing of care partners as an essential component of patient care.

Improving Staff Wellbeing and Retention

Caring for patients with complex dementia and cognitive impairment-related needs can be demanding for hospital staff. The Meeting Centre enables ward teams to refer patients for meaningful activity and specialist support, easing pressure on clinical areas and allowing nurses to focus on essential medical and rehabilitation needs. This model supports staff wellbeing and contributes to a more compassionate and sustainable workforce.

Innovating in Healthcare Education and Training

The Meeting Centre also functions as a training hub for nursing, medical, and social work students from the University of Dundee and Abertay University. Engaging with people living with dementia in a non-clinical, social environment gives students invaluable insight into lived experience, communication, and person-centred practice. This early exposure helps shape compassionate practitioners and strengthens future dementia care across professions.

Who Benefits?

The primary beneficiaries are people living with dementia and cognitive impairment admitted to RVH and their families. The Meeting Centre offers structured, supportive engagement at a time when unfamiliar surroundings and disrupted routines can be particularly unsettling. Families benefit from reassurance and stronger links to community-based services beyond discharge.

Hospital staff, including nursing, occupational therapy teams, physiotherapy teams and speech and language teams also benefit from reduced incidents of distress and a more integrated approach to dementia care. Importantly, students gain experiential learning that deepens understanding, enhances interpersonal skills, and supports the delivery of compassionate, relationship-based care throughout their careers.

Reflections at Our First Anniversary

The Meeting Centre celebrates its first anniversary in August 2026. A significant achievement. However, the journey has not been without challenges.

One early piece of learning was the extent of personal care needs among hospital patients, which far exceeded those seen in community-based Meeting Centres. Securing additional funding from NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation for two healthcare support workers was pivotal, ensuring that members’ personal care needs could be safely and compassionately met within the Meeting Centre. However, recruitment takes time – if we did this again, we would recruit prior to opening.

Operational challenges also emerged. For example, Meeting Centre staff and volunteers were initially unable to push patients in wheelchairs. Despite previous moving and handling training, additional NHS-approved training was required—a process that took several weeks and considerable negotiation. The qualifications that Meeting Centre staff had were not necessarily recognised by the NHS for example, in terms of Health and Safety and Infection Prevention and Control. This is partly due to this being the first project raising such questions. However, we now have answers to these questions which should make future expansion to the Meeting Centre much easier.

Clear communication proved essential but sometimes elusive. Referral criteria had to be revisited, paperwork simplified, and governance requirements such as information sharing agreements and Caldicott approvals navigated. Even seemingly straightforward tasks such as installing a cooker have taken over a year and remain unresolved. Fundamental to the success of the Meeting Centre is the dedication and skills of the Meeting Centre manager and staff.

From my own experience, getting early buy-in from managers was challenging which resulted in approaching various teams and services until the right people were around the table who shared the same vision and had the belief and determination to make things work. RVH became the obvious choice as the optimum place to test our hospital-based Meeting Centre. While the vast majority of NHS staff have been supportive and positive, there were moments where the capabilities and professionalism of our Meeting Centre colleagues were misunderstood. If we expand to include other services and areas, I would spend more time engaging with staff delivering hands-on care as well as strategic and operational leads from all professions. In terms of sustainability, plans are afoot to try to embed the Meeting Centre into the NHS model of care.

It is important to acknowledge that members are mostly hospital in-patients and formal rehabilitation must always remain paramount. However, the “Clubbie” itself is a form of rehabilitation—one that excels in delivering person-centred support and complements clinical rehabilitation. Collaboration between teams continues to grow, and the future is promising.

Other key learning has been the need for flexibility and problem-solving skills. Being the link between organisations, adapting to changing patient demographics, and responding to service pressures requires time, resilience, determination and creativity.

And finally, the million-dollar question—would I do it again? Absolutely. The physical, emotional, and social benefits observed in Clubbie members provide all the evidence needed to keep going. Establishing a Dementia Meeting Centre within a hospital is challenging, but it is also profoundly worthwhile. For nursing and all other professions involved in providing multi-disciplinary care, it represents a powerful opportunity to reimagine dementia care—one that places humanity, dignity, relationships and citizenship at its very heart.

Contributor: Dr Suzanne Gray, Dementia Nurse Consultant, NHS Tayside

The project is being formally evaluated by the University of Worcester. For any questions or requests for the interim research report please email: suzanne.gray5@nhs.scot

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link

The post Establishing the First Meeting Centre in a Hospital Setting: A Nurse Consultant’s Perspective first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Showcasing Innovation and Excellence.

David Jones — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:00:33 +0000

On 28 April 2026, colleagues from across the NHS Lanarkshire Occupational Therapy Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Addictions Service came together for their first Service Development Day since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for staff to reconnect, share learning, celebrate achievements, and highlight the innovative work taking place across services. The Older Adult Occupational Therapy team made a particularly valuable contribution to the day, showcasing examples of service development, quality improvement, and professional growth which we are delighted to share some of the highlights in this weeks blog.

Inspiring Professional Development

During the morning session, Sarah Jane Donald shared her experience of successfully securing an AHP Fellowship for the 2026 cohort. Her presentation focused on her work exploring the Rookwood Driving Assessment Tool and provided colleagues with a detailed overview of the fellowship application process. Sarah Jane offered practical advice on preparing an application, outlined what prospective applicants can expect if selected, and reflected on the significant personal and professional development opportunities the fellowship has provided so far. Her presentation was both informative and encouraging, inspiring colleagues to consider pursuing similar opportunities for learning and leadership development.

Using Emotional Touchpoints to Capture Patient Experience

Also, during the morning session, Gill Gowran presented on the use of Emotional Touchpoints within the Older Adult Service to gather meaningful qualitative feedback from patients receiving Occupational Therapy interventions. The presentation explained how Emotional Touchpoints were introduced, the feedback tools used with patients, and the process of collecting and analysing responses. Attendees heard how the information gathered was collated into a comprehensive report, which has since been shared with management to support service evaluation and improvement. This work highlighted the importance of understanding patient experiences and ensuring that their voices remain central to service development.

Celebrating the Breadth of Older Adult Occupational Therapy

The afternoon session provided an opportunity for teams to showcase their work through poster presentations and displays. The Older Adult Occupational Therapy team created an impressive poster and table top display that reflected the breadth and diversity of the service. The display highlighted the wide range of assessments, interventions, and specialist tools used by the team, offering colleagues valuable insight into the complex and rewarding work undertaken within Older Adult Services. It also generated positive discussions and increased awareness of the occupational therapy contribution to patient care across the wider service.

Looking Forward

The Development Day was a welcome opportunity to celebrate achievements, share best practice, and strengthen connections across the whole mental health/learning disabilities & Addictions Occupational Therapy service. The contributions from the Older Adult team demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, service improvement, patient-centred practice, and professional development. As services continue to evolve, events such as these remind us of the expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm that exist across our workforce—and the important role occupational therapy plays in improving outcomes for the people we support.

Plans are already under consideration for the 2027 event!

Contributor: Gill Gowran, Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist, NHS Lanarkshire

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link

The post Showcasing Innovation and Excellence. first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Campaigning for Dignity: Fiona’s Ripple Effect. Part 2

David Jones — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:45:22 +0000

Hello! My name is Emma Galloway and I am a fourth year (undergraduate) Occupational Therapy student from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and I have just completed a ten week placement with Alzheimer Scotland. Our work included engaging and listening to members from The National Carers Action Network (NDCAN) allowing us the valued opportunity to share their stories. This blog post is a continuation of Fiona’s journey from last week, where Aoife introduced us to Fiona’s background. Fiona spoke to us about advocating for her husband, Ian. You can read part 1 of her story in last weeks blog here and continues to share her story…

In conversation with Fiona

Fiona has been an advocate for her husband, Ian, throughout his journey with dementia. Fiona describes advocacy as a necessity when systems fail to uphold dignity and basic human rights or individuality. Fiona’s sustained advocacy on behalf of her husband, Ian was due to repeated experiences with care environments and administrative systems that, she describes “have struggled to maintain person-centred care”. Fiona’s story highlights how important speaking up for the person living with dementia is. Her experience extends beyond Ian, grounded in a consistent concern for those without family advocacy. She aims to help those who may not have a voice.

She describes her advocacy work concerning food provision within hospital wards and care homes. Fiona repeatedly encountered meals for Ian that was characterised by limited choice, poor quality, menu fatigue, and reheated or visually unappealing food. Fiona explained that mealtimes are central to wellbeing, identity, and social participation for people with dementia. Fiona focused on practical but fundamental changes: clearer modified-texture standards, improved nutritional value, greater consistency across settings, and recognition that persisting with attempting meals in a different setting or time matters. Notably, changes were rarely proactive that resulted in Fiona having to make formal complaints and escalation through management structures.

Fiona faced challenges with language used by others, particularly the use of terms such as “assault” to describe behaviours arising from distress, confusion, or neurological impairment. The definition of “assault” describes having criminal intent, in Ian’s regard, he has an AWI in place (Adults With Incapacity Act) meaning he cannot make any “reasoned decisions”. This contrast in language overlooks attempts to understand Ian’s non-verbal means of communication. Fiona described, consistently challenging this framing, emphasising that behaviours associated with dementia or acquired brain injury can be forms of communication such as signals of unmet need, sensory overload, fear, or pain. Stigmatising language points to wider systemic misconceptions about dementia and Fiona’s ongoing campaign shows that there are legal constraints in which staff should be aware of.

Throughout Ian’s journey, Fiona encountered staff who were well-meaning but, in her opinion, require more specified dementia training. Gaps in education in Fiona’s experience were particularly evident in areas such as brain injury awareness, dementia-specific communication strategies, trauma-informed care, and understanding sensory overload. In Fiona’s experience, she noted positive shifts occurred with psychological support and structured behaviour frameworks such as traffic-light systems were used. Fiona’s advocacy is fuelled through the “gaps in duty of care” which she “can’t help but raise it”, underscores the need for maintaining person-centred care and supporting behaviours.

Despite holding Power of Attorney, Fiona talked about this role being inconsistently recognised during Mental Health Act procedures. Information regarding “named person” provisions was not routinely shared, leaving Fiona in a process she was “horrified” with. This is something Fiona is increasing awareness for as some individuals do not know this legal frame. Obtaining a “named person” status is a long process and Fiona intends to make this known to other carers. Alzheimer Scotland is supporting Fiona with raising awareness surrounding power of attorney in conjunction with the Mental Health Act if someone requires treatment.

Fiona repeatedly identified what worked for Ian. Through Fiona’s role as his wife, his care needs are aligned with his identity and life history: time outdoors, gardens and fresh air, cafés and cinema routines, music and singing, physical touch through massage, and sensory experiences such as Reiki and sound baths. Even simple acts of sharing a beer, reading, familiar music, played a crucial role in preserving person-centred care.

Through engagement with Alzheimer Scotland, The National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN), and local Carers Centre, these forums offered access to policymakers, and opportunities to influence policy, and carers’ parliaments. These groups provided Fiona with platforms for campaigning. Crucially, Fiona wants those who lack family support, or confidence to challenge systems to be aware of their options in care, information and to maintain good standards. Fiona’s experience demonstrates the ripple effects across systems.

Fiona’s advocacy is rooted in deep love for Ian and a belief in dignity, equity, and human rights for people living with dementia. She presents the challenges faced by those living with dementia while offering a hopeful counter‑narrative, that keeping practice person-centred, with appropriate informed training and awareness around legal framework can make a difference.

Thank you for reading this blog. It has been a pleasure to listen to Fiona and edit this blog on her behalf.

Contributor: Emma Galloway, Queen Margaret University, Occupational Therapy Student.

If you want to learn more about NDCAN or join, please visit this link here

You can find the Alzheimer Scotland 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline, for information, signposting and emotional support to people with dementia, their families, friends and professionals here

Allied Health Professionals have created a suite of information resources for people with dementia, their families and carers that you can find here

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link

The post Campaigning for Dignity: Fiona’s Ripple Effect. Part 2 first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Campaigning for Dignity: Fiona’s Ripple Effect. Part 1

David Jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:01:07 +0000

Hello! My name is Aoife, I am a second year MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) Student from Queen Margaret University and I was on a 10 week placement with Alzheimer Scotland. During this practice placement, my peer; Emma and I have been working with Active Voice Members from the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN). Emma and I had the pleasure of hosting a conversation with Fiona, a NDCAN member, to share her journey as a family carer, with the aim to raise awareness of keeping the person at the centre of care and improving conditions to support other family carers. I hope you enjoy this first blog helping us get to know who Fiona is. Look out for next week’s blog post to follow Fiona’s story.

In conversation with Fiona.

Fiona’s journey as a member of the National Dementia Carers Action Network is grounded in a lifetime of compassion, dedication, and advocacy. Previously Fiona worked as a Head Teacher in a residential school supporting pupils with additional needs, supporting children with additional support needs. Fiona describes how that role shaped her deeply: she spent years advocating for children who could not always speak for themselves, ensuring they received the right teaching, environments, and support. Today, those same principles guide her as she navigates the complexities of supporting her husband, Ian.

Through her work in schools, Fiona witnessed the powerful impact of high-quality education and the difference skilled, empathetic staff can make. She saw how families’ lives changed when the right structures were in place. That experience built her commitment to advocating for dignity, training, and high-quality support.
Now, those professional foundations have become a compass for Fiona, she knows what good care looks like and she recognises when systems fall short. Her advocacy for Ian is firmly rooted in a career spent ensuring others receive the care and understanding they deserved.

Fiona during our conversation, reminded us, how she remains grounded through her family life. Her grandchildren play a huge role in this, offering joy and normality. Just a few weeks ago, Ian met his new granddaughter for the first time, a precious moment Fiona made sure to capture and treasure. Over the summer, her grandson often stays with her, and together with Ian they continue to build new memories. These family routines help her maintain balance between caregiving and the simple, grounding rhythms of everyday life.

Fiona is also an active member of the National Women’s Register (NWR), an organisation she describes as being for “strong minded, lively minded women”. Her local branch has become an essential source of friendship and support.
The group enjoys a wide range of activities, including:

a lively WhatsApp group
meetings with both serious and lighthearted topics
a walking group
a book group
film nights
informal coffee meet ups
planning their annual Pride event

This year’s national theme, The Ripple Effect, inspired Fiona to write an article reflecting on how small actions can create wider, lasting change, something that mirrors her own advocacy journey.

Fiona continues to find purpose within her church community, where she leads the Eco Committee and serves as the youth convener. These roles give her structure, responsibility, and meaningful work beyond the demands of caregiving.

Fiona shares how, Ian’s diagnosis of a degenerative brain condition in 2020 soon followed by a diagnosis of Dementia, marked the beginning of a turbulent and emotional journey. Fiona has supported him through multiple transitions: from home to hospital, back home again, then to a care home, and finally to a psychiatric assessment unit, where he is currently living. Each stage required her to adapt, advocate, and rethink what quality of life could look like for Ian. Throughout it all, she has remained a constant; organising, accompanying, and advocating with Ian at every step.

Ian now lives in a 21-bedded hospital ward that Fiona describes as not purpose built for dementia care. Fiona noted this as she states the ward has no windows in the main area other than skylights, limited light, and restricted access to the outdoors. Fiona has been outspoken about the impact such environments have on dignity and wellbeing, particularly for people living with dementia to help with the awareness of time and seasons. Her advocacy is not only for Ian, but for every person on the ward who lacks a voice.

“Part of what keeps me going, keeps me doing what I’m doing, is because these folk can’t speak for themselves. It’s not just Ian that I’m fighting for – it’s about getting things better for everyone.”

To continue to help with Ian’s health and wellbeing, Fiona regularly brings Ian to Reiki sessions, sound baths, and massages in the community. These therapies have had notable positive effects for Ian, helping reduce anxiety, improving his communication, and offering moments of clarity and calm. She also takes him out for coffees, lunches, concerts, and simple pleasures like sitting in the garden with a book and a non-alcoholic beer. Fiona tells us Ian and her do these activities to normalise continuing to do the things they always loved to do together.

Fiona continues to have an ongoing supportive role in Ian’s emotional, physical, and social wellbeing, all shaped by love, resilience, and a lifetime of standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. And as she continues this journey, she does so with determination: still a wife, carer, and always a voice for dignity and better care.

Thank you for reading this blog. It has been a pleasure to listen to Fiona and edit this blog on her behalf.

Reflective question for consideration: what day-to-day activities do you like to do with your loved one?

Contributor: Aoife Gordon, Queen Margaret University, MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) Student.

Look out part 2 of Fiona’s story and her campaign work in next week’s blog posted on the 25^th June 2026.

If you want to learn more about NDCAN or join, please visit this link here

You can find the Alzheimer Scotland 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline, for information, signposting and emotional support to people with dementia, their families, friends and professionals here

Allied Health Professionals have created a suite of information resources for people with dementia, their families and carers that you can find here

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link

The post Campaigning for Dignity: Fiona’s Ripple Effect. Part 1 first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

Rehabilitation in Dementia. an occupational therapists perspective.

David Jones — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:50:28 +0000

Hi, my name is Alice and I work as an Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner with people across the lifespan, specialising in mental health and neurodivergent needs. Alongside my main role, I also work on the Staff Bank providing input to the Older People’s Mental Health Wards.

For me rehabilitation in dementia it is about supporting people to continue living lives that are meaningful, maintaining their sense of identity, and staying connected to the people and activities that matter to them. It might be a moment of doing an activity they enjoy, a shared smile, a conversation sparked by a familiar song, or someone feeling calm enough to join others for part of the day.

Growing up, my mum had a picture up with the quote, ‘A laugh is the shortest distance between two people.’ That message has stayed with me, particularly in sensory work. It reminds me that rehabilitation is often rooted in relationships, shared experiences, and creating opportunities for connection. While laughter is not always possible, meaningful connection can be. These ideas around rehabilitation are reflected in the work of Tina Champagne (2018), who describes sensory modulation approaches as helping people to “prepare, enhance and/or maintain the ability to engage actively in meaningful life roles and activities.” Rather than focusing on difficulties or losses, sensory approaches build on strengths and support participation, wellbeing, and connection.

I have recently been fortunate to be involved in a project on the dementia assessment wards, where we established sensory-based occupational therapy groups for patients with complex needs who were finding it difficult to participate in existing ward activities. Guided by the principles outlined in Sensory Modulation in Dementia Care (2018), we developed a sensory group programme. Each week was themed around a different colour, providing a sense of consistency and familiarity while also creating visual impact and curiosity.

The groups were designed to be simple and accessible. We used familiar objects (balloons, colourful scarves, wooden tools), visuals, movement and touch to create opportunities for sensory engagement. Rather than directing activities, we aimed to create a space where patients could take the lead and engage in ways that felt meaningful to them.

The groups took place in communal ward spaces, with at least one facilitator moving around the ward inviting people and supporting participation. The aim was not simply to provide stimulation, but to create opportunities for movement, connection, choice, enjoyment and to reduce distress. Novel experiences often sparked engagement. One patient transformed a coloured scarf into a fashion accessory, inviting others to do the same. A balloon became the focus of shared attention, with patients instinctively batting it between one another. What began as simple explorative activities quickly broke down barriers and created opportunities for communication, laughter, and social interaction.

Perhaps the greatest lesson was that less is often more. It can be tempting to overcomplicate interventions, but some of the most meaningful outcomes came from the simplest activities. The sensory activities provided an opportunity; it was the connection between people that brought them to life.

Contributor. Alice Farnham, Specialist Occupational Therapist, Reference:

Champagne, T (2018), Sensory Modulation in Dementia Care: Assessment and Activities for Sensory-Enriched Care. JKP: LondonNHS Lothian

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link

The post Rehabilitation in Dementia. an occupational therapists perspective. first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.

The Voice of Lived Experience. Shaping Future Allied Health Professionals

David Jones — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:31:02 +0000

“Visiting Alzheimer Scotland gave students valuable insight into how third sector organisations operate in practice. Hearing from fellow students supported peer learning while exploring the charity’s work in fundraising, engagement and post‑diagnostic support brought classroom learning to life. We are very grateful for our ongoing partnership in developing a dementia‑informed AHP workforce in Scotland.” Ashleigh Gray, Practice Education Lead, Edinburgh Napier University

Introduction

On the 30th of March 2026, Pre-Registration first year, Master students of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy from Edinburgh Napier University attended Alzheimer Scotland, National Centre in Edinburgh as a part of their community visit.

Occupational Therapy students from Queen Margaret University; Emma and Aoife – who are writing this very blog! – delivered a presentation on The Voice of Lived Experience, informing the Edinburgh Napier students about the Scottish Dementia Working Group and the National Dementia Carers Action Network. As a welcome to Alzheimer Scotland, the students received a folder of self-management resources that can support their work now and in the future, with an emphasis on occupational therapy and physiotherapy resources found at www.alzscot.org/ahpresources and www.cpcs.online and peer to peer resources developed by the Scottish Dementia Working Group. The students had a tour of our day services and brain health hub with presentations about the Role of Fundraising and Engagement and Alzheimer Scotland Post Diagnostic Support and the role of the link worker. Thank you to Elaine Hunter for coordinating and welcoming the students to an informative day!

Setting the Scene

We began the presentation about the voice of lived experience by firstly introducing ourselves and informing the Edinburgh Napier students that we are Queen Margaret University students on placement, so there was no pressure on either side!

We wanted this presentation to highlight the people at the heart of dementia care and the important work they complete for community outreach. The presentation brought together the work of two influential campaign groups- the Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG) and the Nation Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN). Both of these active voice groups play a vital role in shaping dementia practice, policy and the public understanding in Scotland. We felt it was important for the Edinburgh Napier students to understand what these groups campaign for. As professionals, they will encounter people living with dementia and carers, they will also be following legislation and policy that has been shaped by these groups.

We wanted to complete a group activity after the introductions as to who the active voice groups are, and what they do, where we asked:

How would you practice as a professional to ensure the person living with dementia’s voice is heard?
How can you make your practice person-centred?
If you were a member of SDWG what would you campaign for?
If you were a member of NDCAN what would you campaign for?

After giving time to answer, we wanted to hear feedback so we could understand where we needed to expand on information and context about these groups. Moving onwards from the group questions, we included a page of quotes from the active voice members as it was extremely important to highlight their opinions and experiences.

“By treating those you will work with in your careers as ‘individuals’, supporting and encouraging them to be themselves and do what’s important to them, you will be able to help ensure they are not defined by their situation, but that they continue to live their best life possible.” Stuart, SDWG

“There is a big opportunity for you as AHPs to see yourselves in the role of consultants. By that I mean passing on some of your skills to the carer so that they can, to some extent, reinforce and multiply the value of your work.” Frank, NDCAN

The aim of these groups is to spread awareness and we equally wanted to follow this.

After the discussion of answers, reflections and feedback, we explained a little more in depth about what NDCAN and SDWG have achieved. This was a fantastic opportunity that can challenge the students’ preconceptions and show them the extensive work active voice groups have been involved with. For example, SDWG have presented at global conferences across Europe and Asia and contributed to international dementia discourse. As a result, Scotland is now recognised as a global leader in dementia policy and advocacy. Members from NDCAN have sat on the national boards for both the new Dementia Strategy and the Carers Act implementing their voices of experience to promote change.

Finally, we asked the Edinburgh Napier students if they had any questions about our time on placement (none of them have been on a placement in their Master course yet!). We explained how this placement focuses on public health and the spreading of information. It is a project based placement in line with the charity values, and most importantly, speaking to those directly living with dementia and carers.

Lasting Impact on Students Perception on dementia

From the interactive segment of the presentation we provided a QR code which brought the students to a page to answer the following questions: ‘How would you practice as a professional to ensure that the person living with dementia’s voice is heard?’ ‘how can you make your practice person centred?’ ‘If you were a member of NDCAN what would you campaign for?’, ‘If you were a member of SDWG what would you campaign for?’. We could see that students seemed to take away a strong commitment to person centred, ethical practice informed by lived experience. QR feedback highlighted the importance of speaking directly to the person, listening with patience, while still appropriately involving family and carers.

Students reported gaining a wider understanding of dementia services in Scotland, post diagnostic support, and how to signpost effectively. Feedback described the presentations as powerful and moving, noting the passion and care demonstrated by speakers. Engaging with lived experience supports the development of critical thinking, compassion, and ethical decision making, while reinforcing the value of co production and ensuring the service user voice remains central to practice.

Some answers from the students:

How would you practice as a professional to ensure that the person living with dementia’s voice is heard?’

“Understand what is important to them and what their priorities are in daily living. Involve the individual and their family in decision making. Be patient and ask clear questions regarding care.”

If you were a member of NDCAN what would you campaign for?

“Funding, awareness, destigmatization, accessibility, education for new practitioners, early diagnosis education”

If you were a member of SDWG what would you campaign for?

“Improve public awareness and education of dementia and ways to accommodate for individuals with dementia in public settings. Reduce stigma and allow fair treatment.”

Lasting impact

The end‑of‑day evaluation revealed just how effective the visit was for these students. Many highlighted that “seeing the level of care and consideration from everyone involved was really powerful and moving” and valued learning about the real work of SDWG and NDCAN. Others appreciated gaining “a wider understanding of the services in Scotland” and the role of link workers.

Key takeaways centred on applying a person‑centred, stigma‑free practice—students spoke about using respectful language, understanding individual experiences, and confidently signposting people to support. Several noted they now recognise the wider support services around dementia care and feel better equipped to contribute meaningfully in future clinical roles.

Personal Takeaways

Through this experience, we learned the importance of careful planning, clear wording, thoughtful layout, and understanding our audience. We have learned how the work from third parties is collaborative and effective to creating resources, raising awareness and most importantly, keeping those living with dementia and carers at the heart of their work. This enabled us to effectively communicate valuable information in the hopes these students will take forth into practice. Delivering the session reinforced our appreciation of the courage required to pose open‑ended questions to a quiet room.

“I have a great appreciation for sharing the knowledge I have gained since being on placement with Alzheimer Scotland. To engage with other students and demonstrate my learning has been beneficial for raising awareness on destigmatisation, resources available and the improvement of service delivery” Emma Galloway, 4^th year Occupational Therapy Student, Queen Margaret University

Contributor: Aoife Gordon and Emma Galloway, Queen Margaret University, Occupational Therapy students

Enjoyed this blog? Tell us more. We love feedback.

Please spend 1 minute completing this short anonymous feedback form to allow us to make our blog posts even better in 2026. Thank you

AHP Let’s Talk About Dementia Blog Feedback Form – Fill out form

Source link
The post The Voice of Lived Experience. Shaping Future Allied Health Professionals first appeared on Vale 50+ Strategy Forum.