...evidence that peer support benefits people with dementia and poor mental health. Combatting social isolation, and cognitive engagement in particular, seem to be features of ‘positive’ peer support that can prevent or slow down either depression or dementia. Using a looser definition of peer support that involves befriending, volunteering, social groups and activities (often for older people with multiple
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing explores the evidence, opportunities and issues relating to peer support models for older people with mental health problems There is very limited evidence on what works and the best models for older people’s mental health peer support. While narrowly defined examples of peer support within mental health services are thin on the ground among people in later life, there is some evidence that peer support benefits people with dementia and poor mental health. Combatting social isolation, and cognitive engagement in particular, seem to be features of ‘positive’ peer support that can prevent or slow down either depression or dementia. Using a looser definition of peer support that involves befriending, volunteering, social groups and activities (often for older people with multiple morbidities) may make it harder to ‘manualise’ peer support, but it has a number of benefits. These include the existence of some well-developed and evaluated models, being accessible to a wide group of older people, and being effective both in preventing poor mental health and improving the wellbeing of older people with mental health problems.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
peer support, older people, mental health problems, mental health services;
Summarises some of the key themes from an inquiry into truth and lying in dementia care. The inquiry, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, aimed to investigate people’s understanding and experiences of situations when people with dementia experience a reality or set of beliefs different to those around them. The inquiry took evidence from people with diverse experiences and includes...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Summarises some of the key themes from an inquiry into truth and lying in dementia care. The inquiry, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, aimed to investigate people’s understanding and experiences of situations when people with dementia experience a reality or set of beliefs different to those around them. The inquiry took evidence from people with diverse experiences and includes different perspectives, understandings and responses in relation to experiencing different realities and beliefs when living with dementia. It aims to be particularly useful for family and paid carers of people living with dementia. The findings are discussed across four main themes: what experiences of different realities and beliefs mean for people with dementia; whether untruths are ever justified in supporting the wellbeing of people with dementia; the challenges of using untruths; and the ways people can respond to these different realities and beliefs. The inquiry panel found three common ways to understand the experiences of different realities and beliefs: the use of memory to make sense of the situation one is in; an expression of unmet needs; and creative solutions or coping strategies. It also identified five responses to people with dementia experiencing different realities: whole-truth telling; looking for alternative meaning; distracting; going along with; lying. The report concludes by identifying six underlying principles of all responses and interventions that are critical in supporting the person living with dementia to have wellbeing.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report presents detailed evidence from an 18 month inquiry which was commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to investigate how people with dementia experience different realities and beliefs to those around them. These are also referred to as a delusions, false beliefs, hallucinations and confusion. The inquiry took evidence from a literature review; an online survey; oral evidence...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report presents detailed evidence from an 18 month inquiry which was commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to investigate how people with dementia experience different realities and beliefs to those around them. These are also referred to as a delusions, false beliefs, hallucinations and confusion. The inquiry took evidence from a literature review; an online survey; oral evidence from expert witnesses; and consultation groups involving people with dementia, family carers, and frontline care staff. The inquiry panel included people with dementia and their carers. Chapters of the report discuss different examples of the different realities and beliefs that people living with dementia can experience; whether any meaning can be attached to these different realities beliefs; the use of 'truth' and 'untruths' when caring for someone with severe dementia; the moral, ethical and practical challenges to telling or not telling the truth; and five fundamental principles relevant to all interactions and interventions a carer chooses to use when supporting a person with dementia experiencing a different reality or belief. From the evidence collected in the inquiry, the panel also agreed five terms in relation to truths and untruths covering the spectrum of: ‘Whole-truth-telling’, 'looking for alternative meaning’, ‘distracting’ ‘going along with’, ‘lying’. A table covering the challenges of choosing whether to use truths or untruths when supporting a person living with dementia experiencing a different reality or belief is included.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Mental Health Foundation
Publication year:
2014
Pagination:
12
Place of publication:
York
Managing risk can dominate everyday practice in dementia care. This document explores how ‘positive risk-taking’ can help communities become dementia-friendly and discusses how it can outweigh the negative effect of avoiding risk altogether. It looks at ‘positive risk-taking’ in relation to sharing risk and argues that making decisions and managing risks should be a neighbourhood or community
(Edited publisher abstract)
Managing risk can dominate everyday practice in dementia care. This document explores how ‘positive risk-taking’ can help communities become dementia-friendly and discusses how it can outweigh the negative effect of avoiding risk altogether. It looks at ‘positive risk-taking’ in relation to sharing risk and argues that making decisions and managing risks should be a neighbourhood or community responsibility, not a burden for a single individual. It looks at how to put positive risk-taking into practice; the dangers that can exist by taking the 'safe option' and using a strengths based approach. The final section lists a number of principles to help make this happen: bust the myths, see the individual, identify and celebrate risk-takers, breakdown stigma, provide a safety net and support decision-making.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the mapping processes and lessons learned in a project to scope the user involvement activity of groups of people with dementia across the UK.
Design/methodology/approach – Data was gathered using a mapping questionnaire designed with help from people with dementia, in-depth interviews and through a filming process at two national events. A total...
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the mapping processes and lessons learned in a project to scope the user involvement activity of groups of people with dementia across the UK.
Design/methodology/approach – Data was gathered using a mapping questionnaire designed with help from people with dementia, in-depth interviews and through a filming process at two national events. A total of 32 groups completed the main questionnaire and five groups were interviewed.
Findings – The collective voice of people with dementia is at a relatively early stage. Groups are at different stages on their journeys and many (completely understandably) prioritise peer support, and local rather than national action. But user-led groups are growing in number and confidence. They ask for support in capacity-building, networking and learning from each other so they can increase their influence over attitudes, policy and services.
Research limitations/implications – The paper relies on self reports from groups the authors were able to identify.
Originality/value – Research that looks at the mechanisms that support the involvement of people with dementia is still in its infancy. This paper combines data and findings from a wide range of groups to provide recommendations about how to improve the involvement of people with dementia.
Subject terms:
participation, older people, service users, dementia, social networks, social inclusion, support groups, attitudes, quality of life, service development;
A growing number of people with dementia in the UK are becoming actively involved in groups to try to influence services and policies affecting people with dementia. The Dementia Engagement & Empowerment Project (DEEP) was a 1-year project which finished in 2012. DEEP aimed to investigate support, promote and celebrate groups of people with a dementia diagnosis across the UK that are trying...
A growing number of people with dementia in the UK are becoming actively involved in groups to try to influence services and policies affecting people with dementia. The Dementia Engagement & Empowerment Project (DEEP) was a 1-year project which finished in 2012. DEEP aimed to investigate support, promote and celebrate groups of people with a dementia diagnosis across the UK that are trying to influence services and policies affecting the lives of people with dementia. It was a multi-faceted project involving a mapping survey, events, films and a reference group made up of people with dementia. This report presents the findings and outcomes from these activities, and reflects on the involvement of people with dementia in influencing services and policies. It found that there are only a small number of groups actively involving people with dementia that are influencing services and policies. 'Influencing' work includes national lobbying and meeting with government officials, local lobbying of services, media work, training and education, participating in advisory groups, awareness-raising and speaking at events. On the basis of the findings a number of recommendations are made for the way forward.
Subject terms:
service users, user participation, advocacy, dementia, groups;
A growing number of people with dementia in the UK are becoming actively involved in groups to try to influence services and policies affecting people with dementia. The Dementia Engagement & Empowerment Project (DEEP) was a 1-year project which finished in 2012. DEEP aimed to investigate support, promote and celebrate groups of people with a dementia diagnosis across the UK that are trying...
A growing number of people with dementia in the UK are becoming actively involved in groups to try to influence services and policies affecting people with dementia. The Dementia Engagement & Empowerment Project (DEEP) was a 1-year project which finished in 2012. DEEP aimed to investigate support, promote and celebrate groups of people with a dementia diagnosis across the UK that are trying to influence services and policies affecting the lives of people with dementia. It was a multi-faceted project involving a mapping survey, events, films and a reference group made up of people with dementia. This paper summarises the findings and outcomes from the main report about these activities, and reflects on the involvement of people with dementia in influencing services and policies. It found that there are only a small number of groups actively involving people with dementia that are influencing services and policies. 'Influencing' work includes national lobbying and meeting with government officials, local lobbying of services, media work, training and education, participating in advisory groups, awareness-raising and speaking at events. On the basis of the findings a number of recommendations are made for the way forward.
Subject terms:
service users, user participation, advocacy, dementia, groups;
...adult protection and risk; dignity in care; and current best practice for dementia. The book is designed to be an introduction to the topic for a wide range of students and practitioners who wish to further their knowledge and understanding of the difficulties experienced by older people with mental health problems.
Each chapter in this handbook has been written by an expert in a particular aspect of older people’s mental health. These include, practitioners, academics, policy experts, people from the voluntary sector and those that have used mental health services. The book is divided into two main sections; the first looks at what keeps older people mentally well and healthy, together with relevant policies and legislation; the second discusses the different types of mental health problems and conditions that older people may experience, together with types of services, care and support that are available. Within these sections, chapters discuss topics such as: old age and mental health in the context of lifespan; depression and anxiety; families, carers and friends; housing and environment issues; adult protection and risk; dignity in care; and current best practice for dementia. The book is designed to be an introduction to the topic for a wide range of students and practitioners who wish to further their knowledge and understanding of the difficulties experienced by older people with mental health problems.
Subject terms:
housing, mental health problems, mental health services, older people, risk, social networks, social care provision, safeguarding adults, anxiety, dementia, depression, dignity;
...housing and environment issues; legal issues; adult protection and risk; dignity in care; current best practice for dementia.
This handbook is a collection of chapters written by experts in the field of older people’s mental health. It is divided into two sections: mental health and well-being of older people; care and support of older people with mental health problems. Individual chapters discuss topics such as old age and mental health in the context of lifespan; depression and anxiety; families, carers and friends; housing and environment issues; legal issues; adult protection and risk; dignity in care; current best practice for dementia.
Journal of Dementia Care, 17(3), May 2009, pp.26-27.
Publisher:
Hawker
This article explores the findings from a recent research project conducted by the Mental Health Foundation for the Alzheimer's Society. The project 'Out of the Shadows' draws out important messages for people with dementia and their carers about their preferences for care and support. The research involved a literature review, focus groups and one-to-one interviews. It investigated who...
This article explores the findings from a recent research project conducted by the Mental Health Foundation for the Alzheimer's Society. The project 'Out of the Shadows' draws out important messages for people with dementia and their carers about their preferences for care and support. The research involved a literature review, focus groups and one-to-one interviews. It investigated who they found out they had dementia, the assessment and diagnostic process, and how they coped after diagnosis.