The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) successfully hosted the Wales Dementia Conference 2024 in Deganwy as part of the 25th anniversary of the DSDC celebrations.

Over 90 delegates from across Wales engaged in discussions about the future of dementia care and support. The conference brought together people living with dementia, carers, researchers, health and care professionals, emphasising the importance of collaboration in shaping better care.

A key highlight of the day was the launch of the Knowledge is Power for Carers booklet, a resource created by carers for carers, supported by DSDC researchers, available in both Welsh and English. This essential guide provides crucial information to those supporting individuals living with dementia and was well-received by attendees.

A diverse range of presenters delivered insightful talks, including the Welsh Ambulance Trust, NHS, Dementia Hub Swansea, with people living with dementia and their carers sharing their experiences throughout the day while attendees contributed to discussions on improving dementia services. The bilingual conference ensured accessibility, with simultaneous translation headsets provided for participants.

Gill Windle, Professor of Ageing and Dementia Research, said, “This was another excellent event designed and delivered by the DSDC team. Feedback from delegates indicates they enjoyed the wide variety of presentations where we heard about excellent service innovations such as transforming ambulances, using national museums to support wellbeing, understanding a person’s life story to enable people in care homes to eat and drink well, the importance of the Welsh language in dementia care, the benefits of arts activities and movement to music, which included all the delegates taking part in a reviving session led by Gwynedd Council’s Dementia Actif team. We heard throughout the day from people with dementia and their carers about their experiences, including Bangor’s own Caban Group, which delegates found especially important. It was also a great opportunity to share our latest research and all the different products our work has inspired.”

The Knowledge is Power booklet will soon be available on the DSDC website. For hard copies please contact Dr. Jen Roberts: j.roberts@bangor.ac.uk