Title

Hafod Care Association: An exploration of stories or narratives of older persons living with Dementia (MRes).

Lead Investigator /Research student
  • Alex Walker,  University of South Wales Alex Walker 
Supervisory team
  • Anne Fothergill, University of South Wales
  • Nicky Genders, University of South Wales
  • Rachel Iredale, University of South Wales
  • Jane Davies, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University  
Type of study

Qualitative study 

Summary

The aim of the MRes study was to, in collaboration with Hafod Care Association, explore the experiences of older persons and their carers who are living with dementia in West Wales and the Valleys.  

This allowed for a greater understanding of the lived experiences of persons and their carers living with dementia. Working in partnership with Hafod care we anticipate that we will collect stories from about 6 older persons living with dementia and 6 carers.  

The sample were recruited purposively from across Hafod’s different care settings i.e. the person’s own home, intermediate care facilities and residential care homes. The stories are in form of narratives, using photos/pictures etc. to capture their unique life stories.  

This work builds on previous research into dementia including a completed story works project of one couple’s experiences of their father’s dementia.  

Who is the study sponsor?

University of South Wales

Funder

Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government 

Total grant value

£42,808

How could this research potentially benefit patients?

Results from this project may be used to:

  1. Educate people about life with dementia.
  2. Improve the care and support services offered by CTUHB and ABUHB for both the person with dementia and their family members.
  3. Demonstrate that people with dementia can reliably take part in research.
  4. This project will be written up as a PhD thesis.  

The video recordings will be edited, with the addition of music and photographs to create “this is your life” style documentary DVDs for the participants to keep. The DVDs can be used by care staff, alongside traditional paper based care plans to see the person past the dementia (Batson et al., 2002). The DVDs may also hold a sentimental value for the family members after their loved one has passed away (Benbow and Kingston, 2016). 

Further information
Outputs generated