The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal 2012 Awards in the category Improving Care with Technology.
The nomination is for DSDC’s Online Virtual Care Home which was officially launched by broadcaster Sally Magnusson in March 2012.
Director of DSDC, Professor June Andrews, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this Award. Since its launch in March this year, thousands of people have visited the DSDC website to access the Online Virtual Care Home so there is a clear need for this type of resource. We greatly encourage people to visit this site for a wealth of information and advice which is helping to transform lives.”
The Virtual Dementia House - http://dementia.stir.ac.uk/virtualhome - is an evidence-based, interactive online resource that illustrates key aspects of dementia-friendly design. The layouts of seven individual rooms are presented and, as viewers scroll across each room, information is displayed explaining how the features benefit a person with dementia.
The online service shows how living spaces – whether they are people’s own homes or care home settings – can be adapted to support the particular spatial and sensory needs of people with dementia.
The evidence shows that making often simple and inexpensive adaptations to the dwelling space of a person with dementia can mean independent living for longer. For instance, increasing the light levels may have a more beneficial effect than medication.
The winners of the Health Service Journal 2012 Awards will be announced on 20 November 2012.