Dementia - social isolation - a duty to make it better.

For those of you who know what Myers Brigg is I am an extremely strong E and F which means I am happy, lively, loud and passionate? With high values and an ethical drive I shy away from things like maths and data. What matters to me is the person inside, the way we behave and how we support each other. However, it would be naive of me to believe that I can function in the corporate and political World without improving and increasing my knowledge in these areas.

For my scholarship I want to enhance the skills of analysis and data to appeal to a broader audience and improve the lives of those affected by dementia. Because it’s what they and their families deserve and I believe it’s what Society needs. Holistic care is about walking in the shoes of those we serve.

I believe that my staff out in the community are ideally placed to see what is missing in the care provided to people at home. If you don’t need a clinical task completing or are not reliant on social services for personal care, you can be largely ignored. Seeking support and help from others is not always an easy thing for people to do or what they what and so they can fall between the lines. People who want to stay at home for as long as possible should be able to do so. Carers do a marvellous job but the social isolation and loneliness I see every day through my work makes me feel as if we are failing as a Society. When people who fought for the rights we take for granted are left alone all day, every day with minimal contact and support I am ashamed and worried for the future.

There are inspirational people around who give selflessly of themselves to support others but if those in greatest need don’t know about them or how to access them they remain largely alone. It’s this group of people I want to think about and do more for. Surely that’s our duty and purpose.

I want to use the skills I learn by being a scholar to make such a fabulous case to meet those unmet needs that no one can say no and together we can change the World around us for the better

Since December, I have met with two fabulous leaders in social care, made numerous contacts via twitter and taken some risks in contacting people direct that I think might test my own belief system and assumptions. It’s my personality to launch into a project with absolute commitment and vigour, but not necessarily to worry about the “how” or the evidence. And so I hope these leaders will slow me down, calm me down and help me to understand that I can’t change the World or do everything in my project. Perhaps they’re right, perhaps not …………….  you don’t know until you try.