BSMS > Research > Clinical Neuroscience > Centre for Dementia Studies > Time-for-Dementia > The expansion of Time for Dementia

The expansion of Time for Dementia

Since its inception in 2014, the Time for Dementia programme has been implemented in several universities and has involved a wide range of healthcare disciplines across the South of England. By involving families with lived experiences of dementia, the programme aims to enhance positive attitudes and greater awareness of dementia in the healthcare workforce of the future.

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Our timeline

2013

As part of its Skills Development Strategy, Health Education: Kent, Surrey, and Sussex identified the need to enhance the skills and understanding of dementia in the healthcare workforce. Time for Dementia is conceptualised and a feasibility programme is funded.

2014

Aiming to enhance holistic understanding, knowledge, and attitudes of dementia, the Time for Dementia programme is launched at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Though longitudinal contact with a family (person with dementia and their carer) over two years, healthcare students gain greater insight about the real-life experiences and challenges of living with a long term condition like dementia in society. The programme was embedded as a mandatory component in the curriculum for two cohorts of medical, nursing, and paramedic undergraduate students.

2017

A mixed-methods evaluation is completed with 750 students and 429 families to understand their experiences and learning outcomes taking part in the programme. The positive outcomes found in both groups led to continued delivery of the programme in the existing universities and further funding (Health Education England; Kent, Surrey, and Sussex) to roll the programme across the region.

2018

New universities implement Time for Dementia. These include University of Brighton, Canterbury Christchurch University, and University of Greenwich. The programme is introduced to a wider range of undergraduate healthcare disciplines that included radiography, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy students.

2019

Health Education England funds the roll out of The Time for Dementia programme in University of Plymouth, University of Exeter and for Dietetics students at University of Surrey. Covid-19 disrupts face to face visits. Dynamic approaches are taken to continue delivering the programme using a virtual format.

2022/onwards

Face to face visits resume for most disciplines. With support from Health Education England Southeast, and Health Education England Southwest, the Time for Dementia programme will expand further and be introduced to new universities across the regions in 2023.

Where we are now

Students

Almost 7,000 healthcare students have learned about the experiences of dementia directly from the experts with lived experiences; families living with dementia. Students from a range of disciplines, across seven universities in the South of England have taken part to date .

“Meeting real people and hearing their stories... really helped me to understand the reality of dementia over and above the textbook medical definitions.” (Medical student).

Families with dementia

Almost 2,000 families living with dementia have shared their experiences with the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“Taking part in the programme has given me a renewed sense of purpose. Students, by taking part in TfD and learning how to communicate with dementia patients are going to be much better equipped in their future career as health professionals.” (Family living with dementia)

Healthcare workforce

Over 2,000 students have now qualified into practice.

“... the Time for Dementia programme has informed my practice as a junior doctor, when I meet patients with a diagnosis of dementia and their families, I have a much greater insight and understanding of the potential struggles that the individual and their loved ones are going through. The treatment and management I provide patients with dementia is more individualized to their needs and their families’ because I now have the insight into the journey of they are on” (World Alzheimer Report 2019).