University of Northampton’s ‘year-ahead’ dementia plans to be unveiled at conference

The University of Northampton will outline a series of bold and innovative projects to help make the town and wider county dementia friendly, at a conference to be held next week.

‘Future Directions in Dementia Care’ will take place on 14 November at Newton Grand Hall, at the University’s Avenue Campus.

The University’s dementia projects lead, Professor Jackie Parkes, will launch the year-ahead plan for the Northamptonshire Dementia Research and Innovation Centre (NDRIC), a joint collaboration between the University and the Northamptonshire Dementia Action Alliance (NDAA).

These plans include the launch in early 2018 of UnityDEM, a support centre for those recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers.

Leaders in dementia health and policy will meet at the conference to discuss and showcase the latest research and care innovations.

Keynote speakers include world-renowned experts in the field of dementia care, including Professor Alastair Burns, the UK’s National Clinical Director for Dementia and Mental Health in Older people.

The Dementia Friendly Northamptonshire Brochure will also be officially launched, with copies available for people to take away.

This is a practical guide to living with dementia and includes information the signs and symptoms, how to get diagnosed, key contacts for help and support as well as details of forthcoming projects across the town and county.

Organisations from Northamptonshire and across the UK will be on hand at the conference to answer questions about their innovations at an exhibition also to be held at Newton Grand Hall.

The innovations are aimed at promoting independence in people with dementia, reducing isolation and loneliness and maintaining their social connections.

Jacqueline Parkes, Professor in Applied Mental Health at the University of Northampton, said: “The total number of people living with dementia is expected to rise to 1 million in 2025, although this figure doesn’t include the many family members and friends also affected by this devastating condition.

“But the outlook isn’t all gloomy and with the projects and research detailed in our plan, officially launched today, people will be able to see how we are working with our partners to make Northamptonshire a better place to live if you have or care for someone with dementia.”

For more information about the University’s dementia projects, contact Professor Parkes on: Jacqueline.parkes@northampton.ac.uk

Notes to editors

The University of Northampton has jointly led with the Northamptonshire Dementia Action Alliance (NDAA) on creating the county’s brochure with a number of key partner organisations, including Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council, Dementia UK, Northamptonshire Age UK and Alzheimer’s Society, Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, St Andrews Healthcare, and Nene CCG.

Collectively with the NDAA and the University’s Northamptonshire Dementia Research and Innovation Centre (NDRIC), they are working toward making Northampton ‘Dementia Friendly’ by 2020.

The NDRIC is part of the University of Northampton’s “Changemaker” initiative, which focuses on finding solutions to environmental or social problems to improve people’s lives.