Hello and welcome to my blog, I am passionate about sharing my knowledge of dementia with the wider public to educate and inform people who have an interest in dementia. I am currently studying for a Professional Doctorate in Dementia Studies at the University of Stirling, my main research is the views of caregivers when a loved one is admitted to hospital.

My research will begin to investigate carers thoughts, views and opinions with the aim of further exploration of the question “Should hospital discharge be discussed on or before admission? Understanding caregiver expectations and perceptions of dementia care, in order to ensure successful discharge to an appropriate care environment” the study has two main aims:

• To investigate whether effective communications are forged between carers, nursing and medical staff when a person with dementia is admitted to hospital, thereby promoting and facilitating successful care and treatment planning, ensuring effective discharge for the person with dementia to a suitable care environment.
• To determine whether discharge planning should be discussed, on or before admission?

Apart from writing about my research topic, I intend to write about whatever is on my mind at the time, tonight’s thoughts are taken from some of the media coverage I have noted lately about terminology.

I read in the media with interest and note that the term “Sufferer or Suffering” is used extensively:

This sort of term conjures up lots of images in peoples minds of people living with dementia as being in constant turmoil and under some sort of constant pain and agitation, I have supported lots of people living with dementia and certainly found that people can live well with the diagnosis, continue to live with positivity in their lives and be an inspiration to us all.