Dementia Learning Forums for 2010

If you are caring for someone living with Dementia I’m sure you would be interested in going along to one of the forthcoming Dementia Learning Forums. The forum runs 6 times a year from mid morning and over lunchtime and each forum starts with a presentation by a keynote speaker on a dementia related topic – something that has usually been recommended by forum delegates.  The forum gives you an opportunity to meet other people involved in aspects of Dementia care and treatment both over lunch and then in the small conversational learning groups, facilitated by Forum members.


The forum has several objectives and is always looking for carers to take part and share the knowledge and experiences they have:

    * To create better outcomes and improve the experience for people living with dementia and their carers through supported shared learning;
    * To involve the wider multi-disciplinary network in a process of shared learning about dementia and make best use of local knowledge and experience;
    * To include carers and people living with dementia as partners in learning;
    * To contribute to the induction of new staff working with patients with dementia.


Over the past 2 years, the number of people coming along has averaged at 68 per forum.  People come along from all sorts of backgrounds, from community social work, community health, acute and primary care ward staff, voluntary agencies, independent sector as well as carers and people living with dementia.


An example of topics covered to date have included “Legal Considerations for adults with dementia , their carers and professionals”, “Palliative care for people with dementia” “Therapeutic Values in Horticulture” and considered the carers perspective in each case.

The meetings are all held between 11.30 and 2.30 in the Dunnikier House Hotel in Kirkcaldy and for the rest of this year are as follows:

    * Tuesday 27th July – Topic is “Living with Risk” and the speaker is Bill Coyne, Senior Clinical Effectiveness Practitioner, NHS Fife.
    * Tuesday 21st September – The topic is Dementia Care in the Acute Hospital Setting and the speakers are Audrey Melrose, Nurse Specialist, Liaison Psychiatry (Older People), NHS Forth Valley and Dr Emma Reynish, Consultant Physician in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, and Honorary Professor in Dementia Studies, University of Stirling.
    * Tuesday 16th November -Fiona Crow, Music Therapist, NHS Fife, Jane Bentley, Community Musician, Art Beat and ‘The Buddy Beat’ Community Drumming Group.

The Forum are very keen to hear from carers and to have their input at the forums – if you’d like to attend please contact Sandra Anderson, KLLMU Development Co-ordinator, Balfour Rehab Unit, Cameron Hospital, Cameron Bridge, Leven, KY8 5RR.  Tel: 01592 226768  Email: Sandra.Anderson-lmu@fife.gov.uk