Health and wellbeing amongst older people research in Northamptonshire

The Ageing Research Centre of the University of Northampton (2014-current), in collaboration with the East Midlands Research into Ageing Network (EMRAN) is pleased to compile this brochure on research activity associated with older people across the county of Northamptonshire. This provides a comprehensive overview of activity that is relevant and of value to practice, identifying research outcomes that have real significance to age-related health and wellbeing. The brochure provides a summary of research activity over the last five years from academic, clinical and professional colleagues and demonstrates cross sector networks of collaboration around the common agenda of aging. Such collaboration will enhance the capacity of research understanding across the county and provide information and support for the needs of older people, their families and carers. The translation of research outcomes into practice is essential if we are to promote wellness, independence and healthy aging within the county and beyond and I would like to thank all contributors for their commitment and hard work in the production of this brochure

Health and wellbeing amongst older people research in Northamptonshire

The Ageing Research Centre of the University of Northampton (2014-current), in collaboration with the East Midlands Research into Ageing Network (EMRAN) is pleased to compile this brochure on research activity associated with older people across the county of Northamptonshire. This provides a comprehensive overview of activity that is relevant and of value to practice, identifying research outcomes that have real significance to age-related health and wellbeing. The brochure provides a summary of research activity over the last five years from academic, clinical and professional colleagues and demonstrates cross sector networks of collaboration around the common agenda of aging. Such collaboration will enhance the capacity of research understanding across the county and provide information and support for the needs of older people, their families and carers. The translation of research outcomes into practice is essential if we are to promote wellness, independence and healthy aging within the county and beyond and I would like to thank all contributors for their commitment and hard work in the production of this brochure

Engaging people with dementia in research – best practice and person centred approaches considered in accordance with the demands for ethical scrutiny

This presentation considers the establishment of a research relationship and a research contract with people with dementia and their carers, and how to better engage participants in the research process from the outset, whilst working within the demands of ethical guidelines. In order for the research process to hold meaning for its participants, it is better that the research is carried out ‘with’ rather than ‘for’ or ‘on’. This can create a research process which is more empowering for the participant and delivers more meaningful output. This presentation will explore the ways in which researchers can adapt their approach when developing the often dry and difficult to understand documentation, which is ethically and morally important to the research process, for example the consent form or the participant research information sheets. The use of creative media such as photographs, videos or other visual and sensory elements may enhance pre research discussions with participants and also the development of information booklets that make the research process more easily understood, more relevant and more engaging for the person with dementia, whilst still taking into consideration issues of consent and the need to engage people with dementia in research responsibly. These issues are considered alongside the requirements of funding organisations and ethical committees whose processes and protocols need to be strictly adhered to, but which may not always be easy to understand or visually engaging for a person with dementia. Alongside personal experiences of developing ethical documentation which can better support a person with dementia to understand the aims of the research and what will be expected of them, this presentation will also consider the current recommended practice and existing standards used in research

How people with dementia and their carers access research findings and make practical use of them in their everyday lives

This presentation considers the dissemination and implementation of dementia research, with particular reference to how people with dementia and their carers access research findings and make practical use of them in their everyday lives. This is an issue which receives limited coverage in the literature. Although there is a growing body of research identifying evidence-based interventions for people with dementia and for their carers, it remains unclear how effectively this research knowledge is disseminated and implemented beyond the systems responsible for the delivery of dementia care. Whilst the emergence of knowledge mobilisation and developments within the discipline of implementation science are informing current thinking about how research can better inform public policy and professional practice, a broader focus is also needed on how this knowledge reaches more diverse public audiences. Drawing upon relevant literature and recent experience of developing a dissemination strategy for a UK dementia study, this presentation considers how people with dementia and their carers access research knowledge, assess its value to them and apply it. In light of this, researcher responsibilities in delivering an effective dissemination strategy that is empowering for this population are also explored. Whilst it is acknowledged that dissemination strategies may be influenced by the nature of the research, the intended audience, the priorities of the researcher or the expectations of funding bodies, alternative ways of ensuring the inclusion of people with dementia and their carers in this critical aspect of the research process are considered. Finally, recommendations are made concerning future research into this key issue, so that opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to benefit from the evidence-based practices that are potentially useful to them can be maximised