The IDoService project aims to co-design tools which make it easier for people living with mild to moderate dementia to connect with relevant groups, charities or other activity groups. The objective is to support the wishes expressed by many people with mild dementia to have more opportunities for active participation in meaningful activities and to feel valued for any skills or expertise they might have to share.
Online focus groups were held, in February, with key stakeholder in the field of dementia support, activities and advocacy in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, to gain insights into current services provision, barriers and opportunities. The focus groups’ first insights, perhaps predictably, highlighted the large impact which COVID-19 has on providing and accessing meaningful activities. People living with dementia, carers and service providers have had to adapt hugely to find ways to maintain social interactions and access to leisure activities. Information technologies were and are still very useful in many cases to keep contact and continue activities such as singing, crafts, physical activities, or support groups. However, even after providing tablets to people, online activities remain unsuitable for some people and some activities have to be completed using other, more traditional approaches, such as phone calls, or provision of information and other materials by post.
Remote interviews with people with dementia together with a care partner will begin in the coming weeks. They will provide an opportunity to follow up insights from the focus groups in more depth and to learn about first-hand experiences. The aim is to discuss the availability and accessibility of meaningful activities, and the needs and wishes of people in the early stages of dementia.
The IDoService project builds on the interdisciplinary participative design approach, ideas of empowerment and social engagement developed during the European project MinD (2016-2020).
You can find more information about the project here: https://www.art.mmu.ac.uk/profile/itournier/projectdetails/1074
For any questions or suggestions about access to meaningful activities, please do not hesitate to contact the research team on: idoservice@mmu.ac.uk
