The conference, held in the Iris Murdoch Building, University of Stirling, was organised by BSG Scotland and the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling. It was attended by 70 participants, approximately one third were academics, one third NHS and social work practitioners and one third from other caring and voluntary sector organisations. Although most participants were from Central Scotland, others came from further away, such as Aberdeen, Scottish Highlands, London, Surrey, Brussels and Northern Ireland. 

During the day, our keynote speakers considered involving older people from a range of different perspectives. In the morning session, chaired by Professor June Andrews, University of Stirling, Professor Jill Manthorpe, King’s College London, spoke on Involving older people: vulnerability and adult safeguarding. Jill spoke first about the OPRSI Team, involving people aged 60+ years in research as older people, not necessarily as users or carers. Older people are also involved as consumers of research in various ways. In the National Elder Abuse Study (funded by Comic Relief), older people were involved in the preparatory stages, advised on language and expression and enabled the team to take a more gentle approach than asking directly about ‘abuse’.

Older people had also been involved in policy and practice research for the No Secrets review in England, and in a study that looked at older people’s views of systems, such as the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). Jill spoke about the new ethical system in England, about definitions of safeguarding and where to draw the line. She concluded that researchers must be clear about the purposes of involvement and co-production, think through support and reflect on what worked. ‘At my age I want it to make a difference’ was a key message from older people.

Edward McLaughlin and Ross Campbell, members of the Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG), spoke about Involving older people with dementia. They talked movingly of their personal experiences of dementia. SDWG, run by members who all have a diagnosis of dementia, aims to be the voice of and for people with dementia in Scotland. Eddie and Ross described how the group started with support from Alzheimer Scotland. Members set the agenda and applied for funding from Comic Relief. Since its formation the group has campaigned on medical issues and respite care; met with Ministers and other politicians; submitted views to a wide range of organisations; played an active role in Alzheimer Scotland. They have produced three DVDs, worked with the Scottish Government in key areas, including the development of the new Scottish Government Dementia Strategy; spoken at conferences in Scotland and abroad; and contributed to the professional training of student social workers, doctors and nurses. Eddie described how they had taken part in over 100 activities, influencing politicians and others. A key message was: ‘We must earn respect by our actions’.  

Irene Oldfather MSP, convener of the Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Alzheimer’s, thanked members of SDWG for their inspiration and courage. Irene pointed out that it was not long ago that dementia was not talked about. As convener of the Cross Party Group (CPG) she was concerned to give voice to people with dementia and make them a priority on the political agenda. It is only in the last five years that dementia has appeared on the political radar screen. Whereas some CPGs are mainly discussion forums, Irene thinks this one should be proactive in pushing the agenda forward. For too long people with dementia had not had their rights respected. Extensive consultation led to the Charter of Rights, influenced by older people themselves. SDWG had been involved in the Charter of Rights and the Dementia Strategy. Irene said that we need to ensure that this is not just another piece of paper but must be properly resourced and put into practice. She pledged that ‘no door will go un-knocked and no stone unturned to pursue this’.

Briege McClean from National Museums of Northern Ireland gave the Tilda Gaskell Memorial Lecture. Briege spoke about the Live and Learn Project – an intergenerational approach. The project helps people enjoy old age by using the resources of the museums with people who do not usually visit museums. The project had secured Big Lottery funding for five years, including a budget for transport. Briege described examples of creative learning programmes, including folk museums giving demonstrations of traditional crafts on site; and a painting project for people with dementia. Drama and role play was also used, for example in a rural activity project. Briege illustrated the projects with photos and quotations which brought the activities and their benefits to life. Briege also spoke about two case studies of intergenerational practice. One involved Adelaide House Care Home and students from Queen’s University producing a book of memories and stories. The other involved Wise and Wonderful Women (wwwdots) and Cregagh Road Primary School children in the project ‘The way things were’. The project was very popular with the children and broke down barriers between older people and children. Briege concluded that the Live and Learn Project had produced very positive outcomes.