1
|
Tingley D, Ashworth R, Torres Sanchez D, Mac Mahon GH, Kusel Y, Rae BM, Shorthouse T, Bartley A, Howell G, Hurley J. Is the Invisibility of Dementia a Super-Power or a Curse? A Reflection on the SUNshiners' Questionnaire into the Public Understanding of Dementia as an Invisible Disability: A User-Led Research Project. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:466. [PMID: 38673377 PMCID: PMC11050154 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The SUNshiners group includes people in the early stages of dementia with an interest in dementia activism and research. The group found that despite the growing awareness of invisible disabilities, there is very limited research into the pros and cons of the invisibility of dementia. Our paper explores the SUNshiners research which stemmed from varied individual experiences of disclosing diagnoses. The group designed and developed a short survey to explore what the public knew about dementia and what they thought about the invisibility of dementia. A mixture of open- and closed-ended questions were used to gain meaningful data. A total of 347 people completed the survey (315 online and 32 paper-based), which was then co-analysed. The findings suggest that the majority of the public felt that the invisibility of dementia was negative; that knowing someone had dementia when first meeting them would be beneficial; that people living with dementia should maintain the right to vote; and that people living with dementia do not automatically require a consistent, regular carer. Common themes from the open-ended answers included capacity, severity of dementia, and access to support. The findings support the disclosure of dementia diagnosis; however, more action is needed to tackle stigmatised views, particularly as the SUNshiners felt that people do not have enough dementia education to support a positive disclosure experience. They shared their experiences of the group and the project's benefits, but also the losses they have faced. Our paper aims to be as accessible as possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Tingley
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Rosalie Ashworth
- Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, NHS Tayside, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK;
| | - Dalia Torres Sanchez
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Grace Hayes Mac Mahon
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Yvette Kusel
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Brigitta Maria Rae
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Tracey Shorthouse
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Alan Bartley
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Gabrielle Howell
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| | - Joanne Hurley
- SUNshiners Group, Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (NHS), Community of Mental Health for Older Adults, Folkestone Health Centre, Folkestone CT20 1JY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Warran K, Greenwood F, Ashworth R, Robertson M, Brown P. Challenges in co-produced dementia research: A critical perspective and discussion to inform future directions. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e5998. [PMID: 37671685 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Key points
There is a move towards meaningful collaboration of people living with dementia in the research process, but these processes are rarely critiqued, with more critical reflection needed.
Current academic structures, frameworks, and funding processes limit meaningful collaboration, particularly in relation to academic language and hierarchies of evidence.
There is a need for an environment that can enable the collaboration that is at the heart of a co‐produced ethos, but creating such an environment of reciprocity in dementia research requires extensive time, resources and emotional support.
It is important to embrace the tensions of the contexts we, as researchers, work within and continue to strive towards learning and growth, and fairer and more equitable ways of working in co‐produced dementia research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katey Warran
- Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Frankie Greenwood
- Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosalie Ashworth
- Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, NHS Tayside, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Martin Robertson
- ECREDibles, Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paula Brown
- ECREDibles, Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
McCabe L, Dawson A, Douglas E, Barry N. Using Technology the Right Way to Support Social Connectedness for Older People in the Era of COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168725. [PMID: 34444472 PMCID: PMC8391174 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pose significant risks to the human rights of older people from limitations in how people are able to engage with their social lives and from increased risk of discrimination linked to conceptualization of COVID-19 as a disease of the old. Further, COVID-19 increases risks of social isolation through public health and societal responses such as lockdowns. These responses have resulted in significant shifts in how citizens and service providers think about technology as a tool to allow people to stay socially connected. However, there are risks to the rights of older people inherent in the use of technology related to their ability to access technology and ageist assumptions that may limit engagement. The ‘Technology and Social Connectedness’ project was a pre-pandemic mixed-methods study involving evidence review, secondary analyses, and qualitative methods. Cross-dataset analyses led to evidence-based guidance to inform a rights-based approach to using technology. This paper provides analysis from the project that foregrounds a rights-based approach demonstrating how we developed the guidance within this framework and, contextualized within the pandemic response in Scotland, how that guidance can help others to protect and uphold the human rights of older people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise McCabe
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (A.D.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (N.B.); Tel.: +44-(0)-7772-941552 (L.M.)
| | - Alison Dawson
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (A.D.); (E.D.)
| | - Elaine Douglas
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (A.D.); (E.D.)
| | - Nessa Barry
- Technology Enabled Care and Digital Healthcare Innovation, Scottish Government, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, UK
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (N.B.); Tel.: +44-(0)-7772-941552 (L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
D’Cunha NM, Isbel ST, Frost J, Fearon A, McKune AJ, Naumovski N, Kellett J. Effects of a virtual group cycling experience on people living with dementia: A mixed method pilot study. DEMENTIA 2020; 20:1518-1535. [DOI: 10.1177/1471301220951328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation and sedentary behaviour are common in residential aged care facilities (also known as nursing homes or long-term care). Use of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are currently under investigation for their potential to provide exciting and engaging activities for older people in residential aged care facilities. However, there is limited evidence on whether these technologies can promote physical activity in a small group setting for people with cognitive impairment. Using mixed methods, we examined the use of a virtual cycling experience in a sample of 10 participants with cognitive impairment living in residential aged care facilities. In a randomised crossover design, participants engaged in a 25-minute, self-paced, facilitated seated virtual cycling experience and a time-matched seated physical activity session in groups of five. All participants completed a brief pre- and post-intervention mood questionnaire. Video analysis was used for both conditions to compare levels of environmental stimulation, apathy and engagement using both the Person–Environment Apathy Rating Scale and the Engagement of a Person with Dementia Scale. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews following the virtual cycling experience was also performed. No differences were observed between conditions for all outcomes except for environmental stimulation, where there was a lower response in the intervention than the control condition ( p = 0.032). This was primarily driven by lower scores for the virtual cycling experience than control in physical accessibility ( p = 0.012). Participants reported the virtual cycling experience to be immersive and challenging and reminisced about cycling earlier in life. The activity manager observed that the virtual cycling experience was an overall positive experience and emphasised benefits of safety screening and preparation prior to the activities. The findings of this study support the use of the virtual cycling experience as an immersive and engaging alternative to usual activities, which might encourage higher levels of physical activity in residential aged care facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jane Frost
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia
| | - Angie Fearon
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia
| | - Andrew J McKune
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia; Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia; Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Jane Kellett
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|