The ceremony celebrates innovative and creative projects
Scotland’s dementia champions were celebrated last month.
The winners of Scotland’s Dementia Awards 2017 were announced at a ceremony held on World Alzheimer’s Day, 21 September, at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel.
The awards - a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council - set out to recognise the incredible difference that creative and innovative projects are making to the lives of people with dementia.
Now in their sixth year, the awards feature five best practice categories including; acute care, community support and innovative partnership.
A special lifetime achievement award was presented on the day to Henry Rankin for his outstanding contribution and tireless campaigning as chair of the Scottish Dementia Working Group.
Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “It is fitting that we are celebrating the wonderful contribution that individuals and teams have made across the dementia care sector on World Alzheimer’s Day.
“This year’s winners have raised the bar, yet again, and I am delighted to see everyone congratulated for their efforts to support people living with dementia and their families.”
Lifetime achievement award
Henry Rankin
Henry has been part of Alzheimer Scotland for eight years, when he took part in Facing Dementia Together in East Renfrewshire and was then persuaded to go along to a Scottish Dementia Working Group meeting. He went on to become chair of the group for four years.
Some of his personal highlights have been working with schools, working with the Dementia Champions and working with students at universities to raise awareness of dementia and of Alzheimer Scotland and to make life better for those who come behind.
As an ex-police officer himself, he starred in a publicity video for Police Scotland and is a fantastic ambassador for the Scottish Dementia Working Group and Alzheimer Scotland.
Best acute care initiative
Improving the journey for people with dementia in the acute hospital setting - a collaborative approach - NHS Forth Valley
This project aimed to improve the acute hospital journey for people with dementia by reducing the number of late and/or multiple transfers a person experienced. It involved collaboration across various specialities, with all teams working towards a shared goal.
Best community support initiative
Boogie at the Bar - The Active Aberdeen Partnership, The Foundry, Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership, Alzheimer Scotland and M&S Bank
Boogie at the Bar is a dementia-friendly afternoon disco at The Foundry pub in Aberdeen. The event is a chance for people with dementia, carers and relations to come together, enjoy a drink and dance with old and new friends. The dance floor is never empty!
Best dementia friendly community initiative
Relaxed Checkout - Alzheimer Scotland and Tesco Forres
The Relaxed Checkout began with Tesco Forres staff finding out more about dementia by becoming Dementia Friends. It was designed to be inclusive for anyone who might need more time.
Best innovation in continuing care
GAME (Get to know me, Active assessment, Maintaining meaningful skills, Everyday) - NHS Ayrshire & Arran with Onside Ayrshire Community Resource.
Staff in ward 3 at Woodland View hospital recognised there was a variation in their approach to supporting person-centred care in assessing and planning meaningful activity.
The improvement project focussed on working with families, carers and patients, with the aim of improving quality of life and meaningful outcomes for people with dementia using the Pool Activity Level (PAL). The project team developed a bundle approach to support effective implementation of the five key elements of the PAL instrument; personal history, assessment, identification of activity level, activity plan, and review of the plan.
Most innovative partnership
Dementia Awareness within HMP Shotts - Alzheimer Scotland and HMP Shotts.
Prisoners have a higher rate than the general population of several dementia risk factors, including head injury, smoking, drug and alcohol misuse, and low educational attainment.
However, there has been very little research into dementia in prison. Over the last 18 months, this project between HMP Shotts and Alzheimer Scotland engaged 202 prisoners and 55 staff in dementia awareness and information sessions and 40+ family/ friends within the visitors’ centre.
