Alzheimer Scotland have been working collaboratively with our Higher Education Institutions in Scotland to support a “practice ready” allied health professions workforce to be skilled and informed about dementia on graduation. One way we have been supporting this aspiration is to invite some of the AHP students to join us at our Alzheimer Scotland annual conference and then write a blog to share their learning experience. This blog shares the reflections from two speech and language therapy students from University of Strathclyde.
Attending the Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference as fourth year Speech and Language Therapy students was a really inspiring and thought-provoking experience for both of us.
One of the things we particularly enjoyed was seeing the wide range of services and charities represented. It was brilliant to discover how many organisations are out there, all working in different ways to support people living with dementia and their families. It reminded us how important it is to be aware of these services, so we can connect people with the right support at the right time.
We also found the sessions on brain health really engaging. The message that it’s never too early or too late to start looking after your brain health really stuck with us. It’s something everyone can relate to, and it highlighted how valuable it is to share this knowledge more widely. We both came away feeling that these conversations shouldn’t just stay within professional circles — they’re important for everyone.
The afternoon brought some incredibly moving personal stories from carers supporting those living with the condition. Hearing their experiences first-hand added so much depth to the day. The speakers were so brave and honest in sharing their journeys, and their words really resonated with us. It was a powerful reminder of how much the condition can affect not only the person themselves but also their carers. We both felt that carers’ needs and experiences deserve just as much attention and support.
Overall, the conference left us feeling uplifted and inspired. It was a day full of learning, reflection, and connection — and one that reminded us why raising awareness and supporting those living with dementia, matters so much.
Contributor: Stephanie Bain and Gayle Houstoun, speech and language therapy studentsUniversity of Strathclyde
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