UK's first cross sector International Dementia Conference to take place in November 2015

Aug 7 2015

Further presentations from specialist architects, nurses and occupational therapists as well as dementia experts from housing, local authorities and care homes

Taking place 3 - 4 November 2015 at Vox Birmingham, the UK's first cross sector International Dementia Conference will bring together leading figures from across the world and from a variety of different industry backgrounds to learn and share ideas on the best solutions to tackle this global issue.

These professional experts will be joined by specialist architects and planners, nurses and occupational therapists as well as specialists in dementia from sectors including housing, local authorities and care homes. 45 concurrent session presentations will address topics ranging from assistive technology, case finding, meaningful activity, end of life care through to design, environment, staff education, attitudes, language and support and many more valuable areas for dementia discussion and debate.

The International Dementia Conference has been established by Stirling University's Dementia Services Development Centre, as an interactive, educational platform to drive understanding. Running alongside the dedicated Care & Dementia Show (http://www.careshow.co.uk), it will also offer practical support. Organisers are specifically inviting decision makers from housing providers and associations; architects, designers and town planners; local authorities; social workers; GPs, CCGs and NHS professionals including occupational therapists, doctors and nurses.

Professor June Andrews, Director, Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling and a leader in developing this exclusive conference comments:

"This is a conference for everyone who wants to know how to better serve and care for those affected by dementia. Best practice ideas will be shared and trends revealed that will help many sectors prepare to confront this increasingly important subject."

The conference will be addressed by Dame Joan Bakewell as well as plenary speakers from France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Hong Kong, the USA and the UK. They will include:

• Professor Timothy Kwok, Director of Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, focussing on improving hospital care through prevention strategies and psycho-social interventions for dementia. The prevention strategies under investigation include vitamin B, nutritional supplement, TaiChi and cognitive training.
• Professor Manuel Carrasco, Aita-Menni Hospital, Psychiatric Research Institute, Spain who has over 20 years of experience caring for people with dementia and their families and has published extensively in this field. He will share his success in research and practice on what works best for relatives.
• Professor Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia, NHS England and Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Manchester
• Professor Tara Cortes, New York University College of Nursing who will share success in online training and offer an exclusive preview into the forthcoming US National Alzheimers Strategy.
• Dr Sridhar Vaitheswaran MD, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India) who will share best practice on his teleconferencing experience for the benefit of those affected by dementia in rural communities.
• Shirley Law, Head of Learning & Development, Dementia Services Development Centre who will highlight the dedicated DSDC training course which has now been introduced to 7000 health professionals in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, the UK, Malta, Germany, Eire and shortly, Australia.
• Professor June Andrews, Director, Dementia Services Development Centre, Scotland who advises health departments and service providers around the world on improving services for people with dementia and their carers. In the last year, she has counselled on every continent.

The International Dementia Conference runs alongside and in partnership with the Care & Dementia Show offering all conference delegates the opportunity to meet inspirational providers of products and services for those working in dementia care today. A prestigious awards ceremony will take place on the evening of 3 November.

The conference programme will also feature a series of individual talks, panel discussions and practical case studies highlighting the recent trends related to Financing Old Age; Living with Dementia; Research and Design; Care at Home; Best Practice in Care Homes; Families, Faith and Communities; Inspection and Regulation; Training and Regulation; Law and Ethics; and Art and Culture.