Engaging with Scottish Local Authorities - Building capacity for evidence-informed practice in rural & remote island social service delivery
Improvements to care services at home for people with dementia are on the cards with the creation of a groundbreaking new partnership between The Centre for Rural Health, the Scottish Agricultural College and two Scottish local authorities - Borders and Orkney Islands Council.
The project is part of an initiative to will allow those working in the field to exchange skills and knowledge about dementia care at home services. £100k of funding has been secured for the partners to work together over the next 12 months, piloting a range of knowledge exchange activities. Orkney and Scottish Borders Councils are also contributing £10k each to the project, as well as staff time.
The year long project started in September 2009 when two local authority staff visited UHIMI and the Centre for Dementia Studies in Stirling, to receive training in the use of research evidence. With advice from academics and librarians, they will produce a 'state of the art' review of research on dementia care at home services and its relevance to rural and remote communities. The review will kick start a process within each local authority, which will engage health boards, voluntary organisations and service users and their carers in the production of improved plans for dementia care at home services. With other local authority staff also receiving training in how to locate, appraise and use research evidence in planning and evaluating services, the project will have a long term impact within each local authority.
The project will also use innovative techniques for involving older people and their carers in preparation of dementia service plans, including working with Forum Theatre, a company using drama to get participants to express their views.
Please access this link for an up to date information leaflet (posted on 26/02/10) on this knowledge exchange project.
Report of A Literature Review - "What is considered the 'state of the art' in providing high quality social care at home to people with dementia in rural and remote areas and can it be applied in my local authority?". Clark A, Bradford L and Robertson J. February 2010.
Please access this link to view the first Engage Newsletter (posted on 25/05/10).
Dementia Care at Home in Rural and Remote Areas: Summary Findings of Literature Review can be accessed here.
Article January 2011 - Summary of Project - please access here
Presentations from placement two on methods of engagement can be accessed through the under-noted links:
Focus groups with people with dementia.
Talking Mats Project presentation.
Talking Points (updated March 2010).
Engaging with People with Dementia: The Fife Dementia Strategy.
Biblography on methods of engagement - please access here
Presentations from the second seminar can be accessed through the under-noted links:
Dementia presentation June 2010 OIC.