Major South West event will look at supporting those with dementia
The international dementia conference will aim to share best practice as new services are developed locally
Last updated 12th Feb 2024
The South West's first ever international dementia conference has been announced for next month in Devon.
It'll bring agencies together to see how sufferers - and their carers - can be better supported.
Gillian Horne is from Rowcroft Hospice which is behind it - and are also looking to build a new support facility at their headquarters in Torquay.
She says there's often little help between diagnosis and things deteriorating, adding: "It's very scary to be given a diagnosis of dementia and then oh 'ok we'll see you when you get more complex' as people need help now.
"Until the lose capacity or they start to have challenges at home - living at home on their own or with their carer - often there's not much between that time of diagnosis and later stages."
The Dementia and Palliative Care Conference will be held at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre on 26 March 2024.
A spokesperson for the charity said 'acknowledging that dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK and recognising the profound impact of dementia within the local community, Rowcroft believes that fostering a collective conversation around best practices, innovative thinking and future strategies is imperative.
'The key objectives of the conference are to delve into the latest advancements and innovations in dementia, prevention, care and treatment that highlight the latest research into dementia and shine a light on the vital role of palliative care in enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia'.
The conference will include national and international experts and key speakers including Nathan Davies, Associate Professor of Ageing and Applied Health Research at University College London, who commented: "Access to good care for people with dementia towards the end of life is so important.
"We need to deliver solutions that focus on the person and their individual needs."
Karen Harrison Dening, Head of Research and Publications at Dementia UK is also a keynote speaker at the conference. She said: “People with dementia are no different from their peers without a diagnosis, in that they too desire to maintain independence and autonomy for as long as possible.”
Hospice chief executive Mark Hawkins said “We are incredibly proud to care for our community and want to ensure specialist, quality end-of-life care is available to everyone who needs us, irrespective of diagnosis, circumstance or background.
"By organising this conference, we are not only advancing our knowledge and expertise in this critical field but also showcasing Rowcroft’s commitment to innovation and excellence in dementia and palliative support”.
Eloy van Hal, the Senior Advisor and Founder of The Hogeweyk®, will also address the conference. He pioneered this groundbreaking facility, the first of its kind globally, dedicated to housing people with advanced dementia.
The Hogeweyk®, in The Netherlands is designed as a village complete with a town square, supermarket, hairdressers, theatre, pub, café-restaurant, and 27 houses. It has received numerous accolades for its inventive design and distinctive care approach.
The Ness Care Group, leading specialists in dementia across Devon, are supporting the conference and Jonathan Hanbury, Founder & CEO said “We are on the cusp of an elderly care crisis in the South West and it is imperative that we start talking and planning for a future that enables those at risk of frailty to live well for their entire life. That is why we are so proud to be partnering with Rowcroft and bringing dementia innovation to the forefront of the agenda through this pioneering event”.