HDRC project proposal - research sites needed

The HDRC is currently involved in the development of a project proposal on community hubs, examining the impact of interaction with the outside community within supported housing on the health and wellbeing of residents with dementia and also the effect on dementia awareness, attitudes and understanding among people from the outside local community who use the community hub. We intend to carry out interviews with residents with dementia and their carers and possibly observation of some individuals, focus groups with people from the outside local community and focus groups with staff.

To enable us to do this, we need potential research sites that are willing to take part in research. The HDRC’s role in producing a project proposal is to find such sites.

We need care homes, extra care housing, retirement villages, etc. that have community hubs, i.e. they share facilities, amenities, rooms and activities with the local outside community e.g. restaurant, hairdresser, gym, shop, clubs, bingo, dementia awareness sessions, singing and dancing, quizzes, movies, arts and crafts, fitness and exercise activities, bowling, darts, talks, flower arranging, live entertainment, etc. They may also share health and social services with the local community on an outreach basis.

For comparison purposes, we are also looking for supported housing that has no, or minimal, interaction with the outside local community – again, this would need to be in the NW or South and have residents with dementia.

If your organisation has such possible research sites in the North West or South (including London) of the country that has residents with dementia and would be willing to take part in research, please contact the HDRC research coordinator, Dr Julie Barrett: [log in to view email address]