Held once again at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre (EICC) Alzheimer Scotland’s annual conference offered a packed programme around the theme ‘Our choice, Our voice, Our future’.
As part of the growing partnership work between Alzheimer Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University, to support a skilled AHP workforce, the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy programmes were delighted to both students and staff attend. The conference provided an invaluable learning experience, allowing both groups to engage with pressing topics in dementia care and consider what this might mean for their developing clinical practice. This blog shares key takeaways from attendees, sharing reflections on the future of dementia care, inclusivity, and person-centered support.
Personhood in Dementia Care
A key theme for the morning was personhood, emphasising the importance of seeing the person first and foremost, rather than the disease. This resonated with learner Laura Ryan who shared:
“This theme was brought to life through the personal stories shared by people living with dementia and their families. Supporting personhood means supporting a person’s identity, dignity, and self-worth throughout their entire dementia journey. It’s about respecting their autonomy and ensuring that they feel heard and understood at every stage. As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to listen to these lived experiences and use them to create care that is truly person-centred and empowering.”
In one session Jennifer Hall, Head of National Support Services at Alzheimer Scotland, put a spotlight on the experience of dementia from an LGBT perspective. This prompted learner Lorraine Murtagh to reflect on the importance of inclusivity in dementia care and consider the promising future direction of developments in this area.
Lorraine also reflected on the accessibility of care packages and the potential strain on health and social care resources as the population ages. Her reflections were further reinforced by a session focused on the ‘Commission on the Future of Long Term Care in Scotland’, which highlighted essential considerations and actions required to meet the current and future long term care needs of people with dementia.
Bridging Theory and Practice
Ashleigh Gray, Practice Education Led at Edinburgh Napier University, emphasised the importance of the attending conference for learners and staff alike, noting: “Attending conference offered me many professional opportunities, from connecting and networking with others to staying informed on the latest advances in dementia care. I am delighted our learners were able to attend, as this helps bridge theoretical learning with real life insights, underpinning our commitment to supporting a future workforce that is informed and prepared to meet the complexities of dementia care”
In summary, Lorraine described the experience as “a wonderful experience to observe all the great work that is out there and for the future developments that are in the pipeline”.
