Technology Enriched Supported Accommodation for People with Dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Technology Enriched Supported Accommodation - A Study into the Lived Experience of Older People with Dementia and Their Carers
IRAS ID
178713
Contact name
Suzanne Martin
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 18 days
Research summary
As people age it is not uncommon for dementia to develop. When this happens, over time, people may forget how to do everyday things to both look after themselves and keep safe. Eventually it may be risky for the person with dementia (PwD) to continue to live alone, or even when they live with a spouse sometimes the demands of caring become too much. Daughters and sons who are caring for their relative from their family base can feel very worried and stressed about how vulnerable they consider there loved one to be. When living at home is no longer an option then alternatives should be available. Supported housing is one such alternative, bringing together best design of housing and care offering a real home like alternative to hospital care. Some supported housing now use digital alarms with sensors in the flats to let staff know how people are managing within their own place. Some schemes like this have existed in Belfast for over ten years, supporting people with dementia and their families. In this study we want to talk to people with dementia, their families or informal carers and the staff caring for them formally. We want to find out what it is like living in supported accommodation enhanced with technology and what families and care workers think about these types of schemes. The plan is that this will help us understand the good things about this type of scheme, what can be improved and what we need to change. Once we figure this out we want to share that with all those people who are interested in using, developing and monitoring these facilities – establishing good practice.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
15/NI/0160
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion