Regional dementia care research symposium highlights underserved communities

The event brought together researchers, health and social care professionals, third sector organisations and people with dementia and their carers from across the region to address the unique challenges these communities face in dementia care.

Held at Loughborough University on November 4, 2024, the symposium featured a series of presentations recorded by Dementia Researcher, all of which are available for viewing on their YouTube channel here.

It also marked the launch of the new Dementia Network Plus, called SPIN Dementia Network+, representing Sustainable Prevention, Innovation and Involvement for Dementia. Led by Dr Georgina Charlesworth from the University College London and Professor Chris Fox from the University of Exeter, this initiative aims to promote innovation in dementia prevention and presented opportunities for researchers in the East Midlands, including internships and small project funding.

Stephen Kinnock MP delivered a heartfelt video-recorded speech, passionately supporting the programme and sharing his personal experiences of caring for his mother.

Dr Jeremy Isaacs, the National Clinical Lead for Dementia, provided a detailed presentation highlighting the critical need for prevention while addressing existing inequalities in care.

Dr Karan Jutlla also delivered a keynote presentation, sharing valuable insights from her extensive research with South Asian communities in the Midlands.

A diverse range of studies was presented by researchers from various East Midlands universities, including: 

• Hearing loss, associated noncommunicable disease and modifiable behaviours – Dr David Maidment, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Loughborough University.
• Understanding outcomes for people with dementia who deliver or attend Recovery College dementia courses – Dr Linda Birt, LOROS Associate Professor Palliative Care and Frailty, University of Leicester.
• Lived experience of young onset dementia – Peter Middleton, Patient and Public Involvement and Prof Jackie Parkes, Professor in Applied Mental Health, University of Northampton.
• The Cognitive Daisy for improving care for residents with dementia in care homes – Dr Petra Pollux, Associate Professor, University of Lincoln.
• Emotions as method: brutal lessons from studying dementia – Dr Christopher Matthews, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University.
• Improving accessibility of training for carers and dementia in childhood – Dr Chris Knifton Associate Professor in Neurocognitive and Neurodevelopmental Care and Admiral Nurse at De Montfort University.
• Online peer support for young onset dementia – Dr Esther Loseto-Gerritzen, NIHR ARC East Midlands, University of Nottingham.
• Co-producing a dementia awareness training platform for African and Caribbean older adults – Dr Orii McDermott, NIHR ARC East Midlands, University of Nottingham.
• Culturally appropriate digital dementia resources for South Asian community – Dr Neil Chadborn, NIHR ARC East Midlands, University of Nottingham.
• Working with underserved communities – Dr Karan Jutlla Reader in Dementia Care and Inclusion, University of Wolverhampton.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations to enhance dementia care across the East Midlands.

To watch the full playlist of presentations, visit the Dementia Researcher YouTube channel here.