DSDC is an international centre of knowledge and expertise dedicated to improving the lives of people with dementia.

I admire the work of the Centre at Stirling very much. The Centre is a serious source of information and advice about dementia and helps to improve the standard of care for dementia patients. All the staff provide comprehensive and essential dementia education and training. The Director of the Centre has been so successful in devising and implementing interventions to drive change in clinician behaviour and health care organisations in order to achieve ... targets around waiting times, access to health care and modernisation

Baroness Sally Greengross - Chief Executive, International Longevity Centre – UK

Chair All Party Group on Alzheimers, House of Lords

 

Approach
DSDC draws on research and practice, from across the world, to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date resource on all aspects of dementia.

For over 25 years DSDC has worked with individuals and organisations to:

improve the lives for people living with dementia through care and design.
make communities dementia-friendly
influence policy and to improve services for people with dementia

DSDC is based in the Iris Murdoch Building at the University of Stirling, although it is not funded by the University and so is largely funded by charitable sources.In addition to the University , the centre is guided by an International Advisory Board and is funded largely from charitable sources.

They provide
Education & training DSDC provide a range of sustainable education and training programmes. The training and education helps grow the confidence, knowledge and skills that make a difference to people with dementia, improve professional practice and enhance careers. DSDC can deliver the right training and education whether you are a family carer, staff working in primary care, acute care, housing, social care, voluntary sector; or a commissioner of dementia services.

Dementia design: The multidisciplinary team of clinical specialists, architects, and designers promote the importance of design for people with dementia. DSDC have developed a unique insight into what can be done to support people with dementia, based on research and evidence of what makes a difference.

Improvement services: DSDC assists organisations achieving excellence in the integration of care and services for people with dementia.

Publications(link is external): Ranging from helpful hint guides which make practical and cost-effective suggestions for people with dementia and their carers, to more complex and in-depth material for professionals to use in their place of work.

Information and events for carers: DSDC organises free events across the UK for people with dementia and their carers.

Design and technology suite: A showcase for ideas to meet the practical needs of people with dementia.

Dementia information: Through the website and the social media presence they provide a variety of useful information on dementia.