Ageing well with dementia: Past legacies and future promise

Abstract

This paper draws on over three decades of applied dementia care research; and, since 1999, the international work of INTERDEM (early, timely and quality psychosocial INTERventions in DEMentiahttps://interdem.org).Key early work in development of the evidence-base for psychosocial intervention in dementia is followed by a summary of work in Hull, focusing on understanding and managing reported behavioural and mood change in people with dementia. The importance of context in delivering psychosocial interventions is discussed. Assessment approaches for psychosocial diagnostics within care homes and families are outlined. In family settings these have been useful in making decisions about levels of case management, when ongoing care coordination with access to skilled dementia support is a scarce resource.The debate at the FPOP annual conference 2022, can be symbolised by five ‘I’s: that is, Individualised interventions; Interdisciplinary work; Intersectional approaches to diversity; Intergenerational advances; and human Interaction. The power of our own professional collaborative Interactions with each other can, I suggest, encourage an abundance of:■thoughtful research;■rigorous evaluation of our work; and■dissemination in high quality peer reviewed multidisciplinary journals.This has good potential to inform future policies and practices and build on the legacy of past decades. Key psychologists who have inspired and /or encouraged my learnings and writing about applied dementia care research are acknowledged.