Dementia, Cognition and Care collaboration - final workshop held

The Dementia, Cognition and Care Collaboration (White Rose Consortium), held its final workshop on 7th January 2015 at the University of Sheffield. Rehabilitation and Assitive Technologies (RAT) group member,  Professor Gail Mountain (University of Sheffield), with colleagues Professors Gillian Parker (University of York) and David Bunce (University of Leeds) facilitated a day focused on how to involve people living with dementia, and their relatives/supporters, in research. It was particularly interesting to hear from people living with dementia and their relatives/supporters - about what they got from being involved, what can help people to be genuinely involved, and their contributions valued, as well as flexibility and skills this demands from researchers. They need to make what they are asking of people accessible and interesting! 

Participants included people living with dementia, their relative/supporters, health/social care professionals and researchers. Presentations about experiences of involvement, and some of the challenges, included: 

• Sarah Smith (Researcher, Centre for Assistive Technologies and Connected Health Care/RAT group, University of Sheffield) and members of the South Yorkshire Dementia Research Advisory Group presented 'What researchers need to know about involving people in research? (for more info email: sydemrag@sheffield.ac.uk)
• Jane McKeown (University of Sheffield) and Beverly Graham (Alzheimer's Society) and members of Sheffield Dementia Involvement Group (SHINDIG) Alzheimer's society):'What makes involvement interesting (or otherwise)' 
• Chris Rhymes (Lead Nurse, Division 4, Comprehensive Research Network ) and Warren Branton (carer) : 'Join Dementia Research' : a national register for involving people living with dementia in research
• Nada Savtich (Innovations in Dementia, community interest company) 'How researchers can get the most out of involving people with dementia'
• Professor Esme Moniz-Cook Clinical Lead for Dementia (Clinical Lead for Yorkshire & Humber ComplerhsniveResearch): 'Researchers and the NHS: how can the Clinical Research Network help?'
• Diane Lee (Public Health England): 'What are the priorities for dementia research?' 

Plans for the future are focused on growing interest, extending expertise and developing new projects. 

For more information please click here for a full summary of the day will be uploaded in due course.