Dementia Teaching and Research

The School of Medical and Health Sciences has an active postgraduate taught and postgraduate research programme as part of the Ageing and Dementia@Bangor/Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC Wales Research Centre).

The School offers a full range of postgraduate research programmes focused on PhD, MPhil and Masters by Research options targeted towards the thematic areas of research in our research centre (see here for more details).  There is a vibrant group of postgraduate research projects examining a wide range of areas linked to ageing and dementia, ranging from resilience in later life, developing compassionate dementia care in healthcare practice, to exploring how best to improve discharge from hospital into care homes.  

The MSc in Dementia Studies programme equips postgraduates to develop excellence in health and social care practice, driving forward a shift towards active person and family-centred care of people living with dementia. At the core of the programme is the re-orientation towards recognising the citizenship of people living with dementia and emphasising living well with dementia, whilst acknowledging its challenges and the need for support. It identifies the importance of reframing current approaches to care within hospital and other settings, identifying appropriate models and strategies to inform person-centred care, communication and managing complex needs. Alongside the MSc in Dementia Studies programme students are also able to study ‘Dementia Studies’ as part of the BSc Health Studies programme.

The new MSc in Ageing - Research and Practice programme provides an innovative interdisciplinary approach to examining ageing and exploring what constitutes best practice, with an emphasis on understanding ageing based on resilience and relationship-centred approaches. It includes a broad range of modules that tackle contemporary challenges and issues as part of ageing with an emphasis on developing excellence in health and social care practice. The modules provide a wide range and depth of experience to students, critically engaging with topics such as Successful Ageing, Resilience and wellbeing, understanding the dynamics of Social networks and communities for Health and Wellbeing. It also equips students to respond positively to problems in ageing such as the Managing transitions and Rehabilitation module.

The new Doctorate in Healthcare in Ageing and Dementia Studies (DHealthCare Ageing and Dementia Studies) presents an opportunity for students in applied health and social care fields to complete a doctoral level qualification with a substantive research component focused on an area relevant to their discipline and organisational context. It represents an accessible framework for doctoral study for students in Wales, the UK, EU and internationally as it is delivered through an e-learning platform.

As part of the Ageing and Dementia@Bangor/Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) there are a number of Honorary lecturers drawn from those with clinical-academic and lived experience in ageing and dementia. This includes Chris Roberts, who has also presented the School of Health Sciences with the footage from his panorama documentary “Living with Dementia; Chris’s Story”. The documentary was filmed through CCTV and video diaries made by Chris, his wife Jane and daughter Kate to follow them throughout an 18-month period and record their journey. The material will be established as the ‘Chris Roberts Living with Dementia Archive’ at Bangor University.