Dementia 

This study is being led by Harry Theobald and Elizabeth Bartlett. On behalf of SaSS, they are taking a detailed look at the potential role for a Champion in this field for Salisbury. It is planned that this role could build on the work carried out over many years by the Dementia Action Alliance and take forward the programme to support the needs of people living with dementia in Salisbury and those caring for them.

Their aim in the feasibility study is to work from the ‘bottom up’ to help SaSS respond appropriately to the whole of the dementia community. It is very important to include people who are actually living with dementia in the feasibility study so that user participation is not lost. Previously in Safer and Supportive Salisbury we had the benefit of a person living with dementia – along with his family carer – who gave us valuable insight: sadly the progression of the illness means he is no longer part of SaSS.

In the diagram here, all the interactions between the feasibility study leads and other groups are represented by double-headed arrows to emphasise that during the study we expect information to flow in both directions.

For example, when conducting the feasibility study, we will contact people who have dementia themselves – as well as family carers and professional care providers – to get their views on the services they appreciate and on needs they feel are not being met at present.

All members of the SaSS Steering Group will be approached for their perceptions of the kind of information they would like to receive from the dementia community (including people with dementia) and their thoughts about the way a Dementia Lead could provide a recognisable point of contact between the SaSS and members of their community.

The diagram was also designed to show that the aim of the study will be to provide the SaSS Steering Group with good information that will enable them to decide on the following points:

a. What the Dementia Lead needs to able to do

b. The abilities that the person (or persons) needs to fulfil that role,

c. The amount of time and the corresponding funding the role will require
Contacts for more information: Elizabeth Bartlett and Harry Theobald