Dementia Care at Home: Bringing Together Research Ideas from across England
- Jamie Stevenson
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Dementia Care at Home: Highlights from the DEM-COMM Research and Practice in Homecare SIG Public Event.
Written by Dr Gladys Yinusa, ARC Wessex DEM-COMM fellow and the Research and Practice in Homecare Special Interest Group (SIG).
In July 2025, Bournemouth University played host to a hybrid public event led by the DEM-COMM Research and Practice in Homecare Special Interest Group (SIG), with support from the NIHR ARC Wessex (National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Wessex) and Alzheimer’s Society. The theme? Research Readiness in Homecare: Strengthening Collaborative Partnerships Between Providers and Researchers for Better Outcomes.
It brought together people from the local community, professionals from homecare, support services, academia, and the broader health and social care sector. Joining both in-person and online, attendees included family carers of people living with dementia, clinical and community nurses, occupational therapists, care managers, directors, and dementia researchers. Reflecting both lived experience and professional expertise, the day created space for valuable and meaningful dialogue.
Setting the Stage
The event opened with words from Dr. Gladys Yinusa (NIHR ARC Wessex SIG co-lead), followed by Professor Ruth Bartlett (University of Southampton), who spotlighted the DEM-COMM postdoctoral programme and its strides in building capacity for applied dementia research across the country.
Then came the keynote from Louise Marsh
(RELEC: Research Learning & Excellence Community, East Midlands Regional Research Delivery Network & University of Lincoln), who asked: “Home Care Voices…Who’s Listening?” Her talk highlighted the complexities of the social care landscape, with a particular focus on home care. She emphasised the importance of strengthening research relationships and advocated for greater engagement and involvement, recognising the value of research activity and evidence in amplifying voices within home care.
Louise Marsh “There’s lots that we can learn from the workforce, and a lot that the workforce can learn about the benefits and value of getting involved in research.”
Short talks from DEM-COMM Fellows
A series of short talks brought fresh perspectives from DEM-COMM Fellows representing regional Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs):
Dr. Sarah Polack from NIHR ARC Kent Surrey and Sussex, spoke about supporting people with dementia who live alone and shared insights from a feasibility study aimed at detecting depression in dementia.
Dr. Steven Lyons from NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria, presented on music therapy involving people with dementia and their family members living at home.
Dr. Catherine Alexander, NIHR ARC South West Peninsula, discussed awareness issues in dementia care, emphasising on person-centred caring when the individual appears unaware of dementia-related difficulties.
Dr. Megan Polden, NIHR ARC North West Coast, presented on transitions in care, focusing on a study exploring the impacts of hospital discharge on older adults and home care providers.
Dr. Gladys Yinusa, NIHR ARC Wessex, shared findings from the TOMATO project, eating and drinking well at home for people living with dementia receiving home care.
The presentations sparked engaging discussions about potential research and collaboration opportunities. The lunch break that followed provided an opportunity to connect and continue conversations, with showcase stands from GoodOaks Homecare, RELEC, and DEM-COMM Fellows.
Case Study: Research and Collaboration in Action
The afternoon session featured a case study presentation by Laura Goodridge, Group CEO of Home Instead HG Worcester, who demonstrated how practical partnerships between researchers and providers can directly impact care quality and inform research.
Panel: Conversations that Matter
The panel discussion, facilitated by Dr. Yinusa, featured John Major (PPIE Lead, Alzheimer’s Society Research Network), Mark McGlade (Home Instead Exeter and East Devon), and Louise Marsh (RELEC), who shared their experiences and perspectives on research and practice in homecare. Audience members, both in person and online, contributed with questions and comments.
A hybrid interactive session followed for all attendees to reflect on key questions, including how to further strengthen engagement and collaboration in homecare research.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
Reflecting on key discussions throughout the day, there was a strong emphasis on the importance of research collaboration from the outset, ensuring that the voices of those providing and receiving care help shape research questions and design to enable research to address real challenges, deliver practical solutions, and support evidence-based improvements in care.
The day concluded with expressions of thanks to all contributors and attendees. This successful hybrid event highlighted the importance of the DEM-COMM scheme in bridging research and practice and reinforced the value of inclusive, applied research in improving dementia care at home. The SIG continues to hold monthly meetings and welcomes engagement from key stakeholders with interest in the sector.
