A Stirling woman is making it her mission to bust the myths surrounding dementia – and her journey has just earned her a national award. Joan Lyon, 75, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago after her sister picked up Joan’s lapses in memory. Since then, she has not only maintained her independence – including living on her own – but she has used her diagnosis for the good.

Congratulations to North View (Blossoms Ward) for their Gold Audit Accreditation!

We are excited to launch a new online course to help you develop skills in co-production and participatory approaches. The course has been created for people and organisations in any sector who are supporting people with dementia and their families and will equip you with the know-how to work collaboratively with people with dementia and their supporters to improve care and support. 

As populations age, the environments in which we live, work, and receive care increasingly determine wellbeing and independence. Thoughtful design can support orientation, autonomy, and dignity for people living with a dementia - yet these insights still struggle to reach mainstream professional education.

In the UK, many care home residents face their final months without the vital support of hospice teams – which can lead to unnecessary distress for them and their families. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

DSDC is thrilled to share that we are finalists in TWO categories for the Regional Great British Care Awards 2025! We have been nominated within the categories of Workforce Development Award and Co-Production Category.

In the UK, many care home residents face their final months without the vital support of hospice teams – which can lead to unnecessary distress for them and their families. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

We all use hundreds of products every day and often give little thought to the specific design of them or the impact it can have on our daily living, for example from flooring and lighting through to cutlery and cars. Some products we don't even use for their initial intended purpose.

In response to the Alzheimer’s Disease International Report 2025 - Reimaging life with dementia - the power of rehabilitation. Our Senior Dementia Consultant Dave Wilson-Wynne brings together some of the recommendations and explores, what rehabilitation in dementia really means for us.

This World Alzheimer's Month, how do you plan on making a difference? How will you challenge stigma and create a more inclusive place for people living with a dementia? Let us help you!

Not all individuals have the ‘traditional’ family network; many people rely on their ‘chosen families’, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community. This may sound like a simple piece of information, but when you look at the research and what happens in practice, we see that often chosen families aren’t always included in discussions or planning, which can have serious consequences for individuals.

In 2024 DSDC had the privilege to train a group of Catholic Sisters, from various international locations, in the Best Practice in Dementia Care Learning Programme. The training was part of an initiative funded by the Cognitive Impairment Project of the Anna Trust which works to support those in particularly vulnerable contexts, through healthy ageing and the provision of long-term support. Without the Cognitive Impairment Support Grant this project would not have been possible. This project is particularly interesting as the sisters were implementing the programme across a range of cultural settings, each presenting a range of challenges through from geographical to cultural understanding/stigma.

Dementia is not just a medical diagnosis. It encompasses a substantial disability that impacts a person’s daily functioning and quality of life. In this context, it is crucial to explore how dementia fits the definition of disability in the human-rights framework alongside the relevant UK legislation and the global landscape.   

When we think about receiving a diagnosis of dementia and the possible impact of that on our brain health, many of us would assume that it could be catastrophic. What if we knew that music could be used therapeutically to help restore optimal functioning, despite significant structural damage to the brain? 

Many countries are facing challenges related to a rapidly growing ageing population, requiring targeted solutions that consider cultural and social contexts. In Hong Kong alone there were over 1.45 million individuals over the age of 65; a 54.2% increase over the past decade. This is not a unique situation, but it provides opportunities for organisations and countries to collaborate, share knowledge and experience, and create spaces which support our ageing population. 

We are delighted to welcome two new Clinical Associates to the DSDC Team; Lindsay Dingwall and Dio Giotas have been working away behind the scenes over the last few weeks to help us with the updates to the Best Practice in Dementia Care Learning Programme. You’ll find a bit more information about them below. Welcome to the team!

The Best Practice in Dementia Care Learning Programme has experienced its biggest update to date. Whether you are a current Facilitator or looking to implement the Best Practice Programme in your organisation, the changes will bring a plethora of enhancements for you. 

DSDC is delighted to award Knowl Park House in Mirfield a Gold Audit Accreditation Award for its Design for Dementia and Ageing – congratulations!  

For over 10 years now, we have been supporting the amazing work of SSAFA. We have been providing specific dementia education training to veterans, case workers and volunteers, who support people living with a dementia.  

If you can make one change today, we would ask that you start saying “A dementia” rather than “dementia”.