blog

I have launched a new blog site about rural dementia. This builds on the current study, Scaling the Peaks, with which I am involved. The site reflects the views and experiences by Fiona as she undertakes the research “out in the field” (forgive the pun) of the Derbyshire Peaks. The study aims to explore the experiences of people affected by dementia who live in a rural area and to help shape future services. Without evidence of the diverse range of needs then service design will remain at best an urban modelled service. It is clear that people living with dementia need access to equitable choices in care regardless of their location.

Rural dementia is a relatively new aspect of dementia care research in England. Currently the majority of national policies in relation to dementia fail to comprehensively include the impact of living in a rural area. Indeed the English  metrics used to measure levels of need do not include location as a factor which directly impacts upon the funding local statutory services receive.  This neglect has huge implications for not only those who are living with dementia but also those who care for them including third sector organisations, private companies, statutory providers and other not for profit organisations. Family and friends are often assigned the long haul work as primary care giver which can often be a mixed blessing in a rural area.  

The aims of the blog are to:

• Share the experiences of undertaking research to a wider audience
• Share thoughts about the diverse range of rural services and providers
• Comment on some of the connections between national policy, local organisations and rurality especially those which influence dementia care
• Comment on the wider implications of care for families affected by dementia
• Provoke some debate by providing an entertaining way of engaging with research
• Invite comments from readers so that those not directly involved can contribute their own ideas

The views on the site are my own. I am kindly funded by the Alzheimer’s Society and supported by the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham. The blog is not intended as an academic resource but please acknowledge the sources of information if you use them in your own work.

Please take a look at https://ruraldementiaresearch.com

Photograph: The Peaks 27th February 2017. Acknowledgment: Villager Jim