Embracing Difference - Dementia Care for Minority Communities
- Published:
- Tuesday 2 February 2016
- Sectors:
- Arts, Care
- Topics:
- Assistive technology, Care for people with dementia, Dementia in Minority Groups
- Stages:
- Case study
- Areas:
- Local
- Regions:
- North East
- Local Alliances:
- North East Regional
“Awareness and understanding of dementia are of crucial importance as this DVD superbly demonstrates.” (Professor Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia for England)
“It [the DVD] makes some simple points on individuality very strongly. There is some particularly good learning in ‘Flowers (the care plan).” (Director of Independent Consultancy)
In spring 2013 the North East Dementia Alliance commissioned the theatre company Open Clasp to produce the DVD ‘Embracing Difference: Dementia Care for Minority Communities’.
The DVD was produced as a training resource to enhance the quality of care and support provided for people living with dementia from minority communities.
The DVD features three scenes highlighting issues relating to the care of people living with dementia from Bangladeshi communities, Traveller communities and lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities.
More than 900 copies of the DVD have been distributed free of charge in 2013 and 2014.
To ensure the DVD’s content reflected the collective experiences of people living with dementia from minority communities, the script was informed by research conducted by Open Clasp’s Artistic Director. This research included interviews with carers and care staff. The DVD was also informed by research previously conducted by the North East Dementia Alliance.
An independent evaluation of the DVD found that it was well received with 80% of respondents stating that it was a good learning tool with high artistic content.