Latest news with #DementiaAwarenessWeek
Glasgow Times
09-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Dementia cafes at Glasgow Royal Infirmary help families
At Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), the Dementia Cafe has become a valued part of care for older patients, offering a welcoming space for conversation, creativity, and companionship. The scheme, part of a wider programme under NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has been celebrated as part of Dementia Awareness Week (June 2 to 8). Read more: Free dementia support clinics retuning to Glasgow this month The GRI recently celebrated Dementia Awareness Week (Image: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) Rebecca Badhesha, senior charge nurse for Ward 30, said: "The hospital setting can often feel isolating. "Through the Dementia Cafe, we aimed to combat loneliness and help our patients retain their skills and abilities through engaging activities." Born from the Dementia Champions Programme, the cafe first took shape in 2016 when staff at GRI saw an opportunity to improve the hospital experience for patients with dementia. Monthly sessions began in a boardroom setting, welcoming patients from the medical and older people's wards, along with relatives, carers, volunteers, and staff. The aim was to create a more social, supportive environment for everyone affected by the condition. Over time, the cafe has evolved to include themed sessions designed to spark conversation and engagement. Reminiscence days, for example, have helped people recall past holidays including special visits from an ice cream van to spark childhood memories. Meanwhile, partnerships with pet therapy charities have brought therapy dogs into the hospital, and gentle exercise sessions led by a ballet teacher have encouraged movement in a relaxed setting. Reminiscence Days have helped patients evoke memories of past holidays by the seaside (Image: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) There have also been silent discos, based on the Playlist for Life model, which used personalised music to help patients connect through song. As well as arts and crafts sessions, paired with tea and cake, giving patients a chance to express themselves creatively. One particular memory that Rebecca recalls from the cafe involved a gentleman who had not communicated for some time. She said: "During a session, he sang to his daughter after a song triggered a nostalgic memory. 'That's the beauty of these sessions, they provide a sense of normality and connection that can be so hard to find in a hospital setting.' Sessions like the Dementia Cafe were unfortunately paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, but since Rebecca took up her role in 2023, smaller gatherings have resumed on the wards. Read more: Do you have a loved one affected by dementia? These free services could help A larger Christmas event was also held, involving patients from several older people's services wards. Rebecca said: "We're committed to re-establishing these joyful afternoons. "There's so much healing power in community and connection, and we're excited to bring patients and families together." Neil McCallum, North Sector Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, praised the initiative. He said: "The Dementia Cafe is a fantastic initiative. "It's a great way to bring people together within hospitals and foster friendship and connection. "I'd like to thank all those involved in organising the cafés and those who attend." The cafe also serves as a tribute to Alan Cook, a colleague who passed away in April 2024 and played a key role in launching the project.
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Dementia Awareness Week: Could robots help to support care in Scotland in the future?
Edinburgh Napier University Researchers in Scotland are at the frontier of new research into how technology can help people living with dementia to lead positive lives for longer. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This Dementia Awareness Week we have taken a closer look at the ground-breaking studies led by academics at Edinburgh Napier University which are considering ways that robots could be used to enhance rehabilitation outcomes for those living with dementia. Some of the work of the Healthcare Technologies Research Group a multi-disciplinary interprofessional group within the School of Health and Social Care, led by Professor Alison Porter-Armstrong, is looking at the use of multifunctional robots in occupational therapy: robots that can provide multiple services including interactive conversations, therapy support, and telecommunication. Another valuable study, called 'Future Ready Graduates', is exploring the views of students in using robots that allow remote presence and interaction to carry out environmental risk assessments. Dr Fiona Maclean, Head of Subject Allied Health and Social Care Sciences and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy | Edinburgh Napier University 'You have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that you do the very best you possibly can with that information to really make a positive difference for the future,' says Dr Fiona Maclean, Head of Subject Allied Health and Social Care Sciences and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, who's involved in the research. 'The research that we're doing is really important, to think about how working with people living with dementia and their caregivers may evolve for the future, but equally how our graduates can be future-ready in terms of the technologies that are coming on down the track so that Edinburgh Napier University graduates are well positioned to be able to embrace and harness those technologies. 'We want our students to feel confident, knowledgeable and skilled because we've introduced them to that type of technology here at university before they step out into the graduate workforce. 'I hope that we're making a positive difference through the [robotics] study, in terms of the positive difference to practice, but also through the Future Ready Graduate study, towards a positive difference we can make to therapy in practice about how therapists think about and embrace technology.' 'Creating research that's meaningful for people living with dementia' The first study, entitled Co-creating The future: The Use of Multifunctional Robots in Occupational Therapy and Dementia, looks at the emerging topic of the integration of robotics in rehabilitation and dementia and aims to capture views on the potential use of robots to enhance outcomes for people living with dementia. It's five months into a two-year timeframe, thanks to funding from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, and made up of healthcare researchers alongside partners from the National Robotarium, Alzheimer Scotland, the Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG), the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN) and NHS Forth Valley. This means that the steering group includes people with lived experience of dementia, something Fiona says was key: 'At Edinburgh Napier University, and in occupational therapy specifically, we are trying to create research that's meaningful for people living with dementia.' A previous review of literature on this topic found that 'although there is some research out there that looks at how you may be able to adopt robotic technology into the area of dementia, there isn't an awful lot that actually asks people living with dementia, 'what do you think?' 'So what we're trying to do with our research is to co-create, in partnership with therapists in practice and people living with dementia, plus their caregivers, how they think we might be able to adopt this technology so that we can produce authentic outcomes that can be meaningful for people living with dementia.' Preparing students for a changing world The second piece of research considers how to prepare Edinburgh Napier University students for the modern world that awaits them when they graduate. 'Future Ready Graduates: Integrating Telepresence Robots and 3D Mapping as a Method of Teaching Environmental Risk Assessment in Occupational Therapy and Dementia Education' explores the views of Masters students on using remotely operated robots to carry out environmental risk assessments, in comparison to traditional in-person assessments for people living with dementia. 'We're very conscious that our graduates at Edinburgh Napier University are going to step out into a really changing world as far as technology is concerned,' explains Fiona. 'Using our Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre here at Edinburgh Napier University, we're asking our students to undertake a simulated environmental risk assessment as to the safety and needs of a fictional person living with dementia on their return home from hospital.' Initial analysis has revealed a varied range of views, with some students feeling in-person visits can't be replaced while others saw the benefits of telepresence for rural visits; the advantages of making occupational therapy more inclusive for some as a result was also noted. But the lack of sensory input was a challenge for some, who might look for signs of food going mouldy or a lack of cleaning. These nuanced insights are helping shape how the technology could be implemented in real-world practice. Once the results are published, Fiona is hopeful it could act as a catalyst for further funding to replicate the study with practising occupational therapists. 'Evolving practice to meet future needs' 'We know that there are financial pressures on all services at the moment, so how can we do more with at best existing resources and resources that may even potentially decrease? 'These new and innovative ways of working can allow us not necessarily to do less, but to do things differently supported by technology,' says Fiona, who says it's vital that if we're going to harness technology, 'then it needs to be technology that's bespoke to the needs of the person living with dementia'. 'If you've met one person living with dementia, then you've met one person living with dementia. And at the moment, we're not necessarily very good at thinking about how we can take this technology and translate it from clean laboratory settings into complex environments. 'It's one thing navigating a robot on a tiled or lino floor, but what our students were having to do was navigate a robot on our carpet with cushions, with spilled medication, or with chairs in the way. 'One of the things that we're really interested in is how we can use technology to enhance services and to do that whilst privileging the voice of people living with dementia so we don't lose their expertise in helping us to ensure that we tailor technology to the needs of the person.' Professor Porter-Armstrong concludes: 'We have a very unique opportunity in Scotland to grow the work of our group, and align our research outcomes with Scottish Government Policy to provide answers as to how we can embrace technology to transform service delivery and provide more effective and efficient care for healthcare users.' Millie Kirkwood, PhD Student Healthcare Technology Research Group, ENU Dr Fiona Maclean, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy & Head of Subject Allied Health & Social Care Science, School of Health & Social Care, ENUDr Adele Goman, Lecturer of Healthcare Technology Innovation and Assessment, Subject Group of Allied Health & Social Care Science, School of Health & Social Care, ENU Theo Armstrong, LLB (Hons) Student, The Business School, ENU Prof. Alison Porter-Armstrong, Professor of Healthcare Technology Innovation and Assessment, School of Health & Social Care, ENU Dr Hadi Daneshvar, Lecturer in Clinical Health Technology, Subject Group of Allied Health & Social Care Science, School of Health & Social Care, ENU Fintan Connolly, CEO, TakeTen Ltd, Belfast Lynne Bushby, Research Assistant (Occupational Therapy), Subject Group of Allied Health & Social Care Science, School of Health & Social Care, ENU Prof. Nicola Roberts, Professor in Respiratory Healthcare Delivery, Subject Group of Nursing, School of Health and Social Care, ENU Dr Ciara Ryan, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Subject Group of Allied Health & Social Care Science, School of Health & Social Care, ENU | Edinburgh Napier University To find out more about the work of the Healthcare Technologies Research Group at Edinburgh Napier University, visit this link.
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Barbara Windsor's widower reveals EastEnders legend would have loved new Alzheimer Scotland outdoor facility
ALZHEIMER Scotland yesterday launched its second outdoor dementia centre with the help of Dame Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell. Agent Scott was married to the Carry On and EastEnders legend for 20 years before her death in 2020 aged 83 from Alzheimer's Disease, becoming her full-time carer for the last six years of her life. 5 Scott Mitchell visiting Alzheimer Scotland's new outdoor dementia centre in Edinburgh. Credit: Andy Barr 5 Gillian Councill, Alzheimer Scotland's Executive Lead for Brain Health and Innovation. Credit: Andy Barr 5 Part of the new centre. Credit: Andy Barr 5 Memory aides including a bus stop and a phonebox. Credit: Andy Barr The new facility on the grounds of Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, comes after the success of the charity's first outdoor dementia resource centre which was opened in the Cairngorm National Park in 2023. During Dementia Awareness Week, Chief Features Writer MATT BENDORIS speaks to Scott about caring for Barbara and how the centre can help people with Alzheimer's and their families. SCOTT Mitchell strolls through the garden of the new outdoor dementia centre, with its traditional red phone box and bus stop added as memory aides, and declares: 'Barbara would have loved this.' The London-based agent was in Edinburgh to help launch the Alzheimer Scotland facility in Edinburgh and wished he and his late wife had had a 'calming' outdoor space like this after the actress, who played Albert Square's Peggy Mitchell, was diagnosed with the disease in 2014. He said: 'When I walked in I just sensed the calm that was here. That resonated with me as I thought 'if only we would have had somewhere like this when I was caring for Barbara'. 'Because I tell you, when you're caring for someone, going out can be quite a stressful thing. But somewhere like here everyone else understands what was happening with your loved one as they're going through it too. 'And also just being outdoors. I mean, look around you, we're in the middle of nature here. You've also got the phone box and the bus stop and lots of other things that will evoke memories. 'That's important for people living with the diagnosis as usually their memories are from a way back.' The dementia friendly centre will provide a range of activities, including gardening and horticulture, relaxation and yoga, community cafes and green health programmes. Scott said: 'I truly believe Alzheimer's Scotland are leading the way when it comes to dementia care as they also think of the carers as well as the people living with the disease. 'People forget that the carer's life becomes very isolated too as you're constantly focusing on that other person because you have to. 'What happens is friends can drop away and people stop popping round so your own world becomes very small. 'We have to watch their mental health too and ways to give them a little break so a place like this is perfect for that.' Gillian Councill, Alzheimer Scotland's Executive Lead for Brain Health and Innovation, reveals it's estimated that 90,000 people are currently living in Scotland with dementia. She said 'Sadly that figure is predicted to increase as the years go on. But one key area we're working on is prevention. 'There's lots of evidence coming through now that up to 45 per cent of cases of dementia could be preventable through addressing key lifestyle factors like air pollution, smoking, alcohol intake, education, vision and hearing loss. 'But increased physical activity is essential too, which is why green spaces are so important, including for your mental health.' And Scott, 62, can still vividly recall the day he and Barbara received her devastating diagnosis. He said: 'The day we got the diagnosis was the day I started grieving. That's how I felt. 'As it progresses it starts to take away your loved one, piece by piece, and you're grieving the whole time because you can see them disappearing in front of you. 'But I was also told that there'll always be a little piece of her in there somewhere, which was true.' And Scott - who was Barbara's partner for 27 years - reveals that the Carry On star never lost her sense of humour. He said: 'There was a lovely moment in the care home where unfortunately she wouldn't eat. And I said to her, I said, 'Barbara they've got chicken Milanese, that's what I make for you at home.' FORMER NURSE ANN SAYS NEW OUTDOOR CENTRE IS A LIFELINE FORMER nurse Ann Fraser insists Alzheimer's Scotland has thrown her a lifeline since being diagnosed with early onset dementia two years ago. Mum of two Ann, 64, from Edinburgh, had still been employed as an auxiliary when she started forgetting things at work. She said: 'People thought I was going deaf and I even got hearing aids. Then my GP sent me for scans and it showed then I had some form of dementia. 'But the support groups at Alzheimer's Scotland have been wonderful. Some days we'll have a song, or a dance and other times just give each other a hug. 'They have changed my life totally and this new centre is going to be amazing because it means that family and friends can come along too.' 'She said to me, 'Well you can't cook'. I said, 'Barbara, I'm the one who's done the cooking for 27 years and you're only telling me now' and she replied, 'Well I didn't want to hurt your feelings'.' He adds: 'Another lovely moment was I was training for a marathon and was warming up inside with some stretches and she said 'What are you doing?' 'I told her 'I'm training to run a marathon' and she replied, 'Your legs are too little to run.' This was classic Barbara Windsor.' There are currently around 130 clinical trials for drugs to try and slow down the progression of the disease. And Scott firmly believes that there will be hope for dementia patients and their carers in the future. He says: 'We are at a turning point here as far as dementia treatments are concerned. 'With more investment and funding then one day maybe we can slow it down considerably to the point where people won't have to go through all the distressing symptoms Barbara and millions of others have gone through.' *For more information visit:
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I built the dementia cafe I wish existed for my nan - sufferers still need joy'
For Dementia Awareness Week, we spoke to Michaela Williams, founder of Spring Bleau - a dementia cafe that brings comfort not only to those living with the condition, but also to the people who care for them Some losses come all at once. Others take their time, quietly peeling away memories, routines, and the pieces of the people we love. That's what dementia feels like for those living with it, and the families watching someone they love slowly slip away. For Dementia Awareness Week, The Mirror spoke to Michaela Williams, who knows firsthand how heartbreaking it is to lose someone in pieces. But despite the pain of watching dementia change her nan, Michaela chose to create something beautiful: Spring Bleau Cafe, a welcoming space for people with dementia and their carers to find comfort, connection, and joy. For Michaela's nan, the signs were subtle at first - misplacing her purse, losing her keys. Nothing that raised alarm bells. For someone elderly, that's normal, right? But then her cooking started to change. Her meals, once a source of pride, were no longer the same. And then something that did raise concern - she began mismatching her clothes. 'To some, that might not sound like much,' Michaela said, 'but my nan was prideful in how she dressed. That wasn't like her.' Still, the family stayed hopeful. 'It can't be that bad. She's still going to town. She's still cooking. She's still doing things,' Michaela remembered thinking. But those were just the early signs. After her nan had a stroke, doctors suggested a memory test. That's when the cracks in the system began to show. Despite it being a hospital referral, it took six months to schedule the test. 'That wait was part of the problem,' she said. Seven months later, the diagnosis came - vascular dementia. 'It's real now. You have a diagnosis,' Michaela said. 'I didn't know if I should burst into tears because I selfishly thought, 'What am I going to do? I can't live without her'." She expected someone, anyone from the NHS, to offer support. But nothing came. 'There's a letter from the Alzheimer's Society six months down the line, but how are they going to remember where they put the letter? Half of them are not well.' In the middle of her pain, Michaela had a realisation. 'I've had 41 amazing years with this woman. Now it's my turn to give her the best life possible.' Her nan loved her freedom. She loved getting out, cooking, and seeing friends. Michaela wanted to honour that. She started searching for clubs or groups - anything that might bring her nan joy, but nothing felt right. 'There was one nearby,' she said, 'but it wasn't diverse. We didn't feel like we fitted in.' So she created her own. 'There was nothing in our area that looked like us, sounded like us, felt like us,' she said. 'So I thought, okay. I'll make one.' She hadn't been on Facebook in over 15 years, but she logged in and posted that she was going to open a dementia cafe. 'Once I put it out there, I had to do it,' she laughed. 'I said it, so now I had to show up.' Volunteers came. People offered help. And Spring Bleau Cafe was born. The name carries legacy, Spring - her nan's maiden name and Bleau - her daughter's middle name. The butterfly symbol represents hope, transformation and new beginnings. 'It brings the two most important people in my life together,' Michaela says. The cafe launched in a church hall. With soup, sandwiches, crafts, laughter and music. People dancing like they did back home. Carers talking to other carers. 'We do music, word searches, games, dancing, even face masks,' she said. 'They feel seen again. Like life isn't over just because they've got dementia.' Michaela's nan passed away in January 2025. 'She went peacefully, surrounded by love. That was the best thing I could give her.' Now, Spring Bleau isn't just a cafe - it's a tribute. A space where people with dementia and their carers can feel seen, heard and celebrated. Since opening last spring, it's created countless memories for those who attend. One moment that stays with Michaela is a carer and her mum's final joyful memory before she passed. 'She said it was one of the best memories they ever had together.' But some memories weigh heavier. An ex-RAF driver came to the cafe, laughed and played dominoes. A week later, he took his own life. 'That's how heavy this journey is. You never know where someone's head is at, but at least we gave him one good moment.' Now that she's seen the impact, Michaela has bigger plans. She hopes to open more cafes across the UK and one in her nan's hometown, St Vincent. And for those with dementia who struggle to get out, she wants to bring the cafe to them, with volunteers popping by to deliver treats and spend time, offering connection and relief. But Michaela wants more than community - she wants change. 'There's so much people don't know about dementia,' she said. 'Every patient is supposed to have a purple butterfly across their bed in hospital, but not all do. And there are nurses who specifically specialise in dementia - why aren't they in every hospital?' She believes the care system is failing too many families. 'We do training for diabetes. Why not dementia? Why aren't we giving people a course, or even a pack to explain what's to come?' Her message is clear: people need people, not just paperwork. 'A letter six months later is not enough. People need voices. They need real support, not just a diagnosis and silence.' Spring Bleau is just the beginning but for Michaela, it's a promise, a legacy. 'I never loved my nan any less. I just had to learn to love her differently. And that love still had light.'
Scotsman
10-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Edinburgh-based care charity to host events to encourage locals to be more dementia-friendly
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now To mark Dementia Awareness Week, an Edinburgh-based care charity has announced it will host events to inspire local residents and businesses to become more dementia-friendly. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As part of Dementia Awareness Week this May, 19th - 25th, The Eric Liddell Community is taking a proactive step in supporting individuals living with dementia and their carers. The charity will host two events: a dementia-focused evening on Thursday, May 22, 6.30pm–8.30pm, and a business breakfast on Wednesday, June 4, 8am–9am. Both events will be held at The Eric Liddell Community in Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Thursday evening event will welcome guest speaker Jan Beattie, one of Scotland's foremost voices in dementia care and policy. Edinburgh charity The Eric Liddell Community will host two dementia events in the coming weeks. | The Eric Liddell Community A trained social worker with over 30 years of experience in regeneration, community development, and workforce transformation, Jan most recently served as Professional Advisor in Dementia to the Scottish Government, helping to deliver Everyone's Story, Scotland's national dementia strategy and its first two-year delivery plan. She said: 'It's a genuine privilege to support The Eric Liddell Community during Dementia Awareness Week. Their person-centred, compassionate approach represents the very best of dementia care. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Everything they do is grounded in strong values, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Edinburgh. That's what makes their work so impactful, and why I'm proud to stand alongside them in their mission to make our city more inclusive and supportive for those living with dementia.' On Wednesday, June 4, the charity will host a Dementia Friendly Community Business Breakfast from 8am–9am. Local businesses are invited to join for tea, coffee, and pastries while learning practical tips on becoming more dementia-informed. The event will also include a chance to hear about the support services offered by the charity and to connect with like-minded professionals committed to inclusivity. John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said: 'Creating a dementia-friendly Edinburgh doesn't just start in hospitals and care homes – it begins in cafés, shops, offices, and neighbourhoods. At The Eric Liddell Community, we believe that by raising awareness and equipping people with the right tools, we can transform everyday environments into inclusive, supportive spaces. 'These events are a chance for all of us – whether you're a business owner, neighbour, friend, or family member – to play a part in making Edinburgh a more understanding and compassionate place for those living with dementia.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Caroline Heenan, day care manager at The Eric Liddell Community, added: 'Every day we see the difference a welcoming environment can make. Whether it's a familiar face, a friendly voice, or a safe and engaging space, these small things are vital. Events like this help us share what we've learned and bring more people into our mission of making Edinburgh more Dementia-Friendly.' The month of May will also see the launch of The Eric Liddell community's Spring Appeal, which this year will focus on the vital work undertaken by unpaid carers, and will highlight the positive impact The Eric Liddell Community's Befriending Project has had on the health and wellbeing of those people caring for individuals living with dementia. For further information, go to: Get Involved - The Eric Liddell Community.
