Holly is currently a second year PhD student at Leeds Beckett University Centre for Dementia, undertaking a three year studentship awarded through the NIHR Three School’s Dementia Programme.
Exploring the optimisation of osteoporosis care for individuals living with and without memory problems in care homes
Around 70% of care home (CH) residents have dementia, with approximately 20.6% diagnosed with osteoporosis. While data on their overlap is limited, recent literature indicates that individuals with dementia, particularly those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, face an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. It is, therefore, highly likely that both conditions frequently co-exist among CH residents. Caring for both osteoporosis and dementia is challenging due to the complex intersection of these conditions, further confounded by staff turnover and heavy workloads. Involving staff in this under-researched area may be crucial for optimising care for this resident group. Ethnographic data will be collected from an estimated 3-4 CHs via observations, conversations, interviews and document research with individuals living with osteoporosis including those with dementia, families and staff. An estimated/up to 250 hours of observation is planned for the study. Flexible data collection methods will enable people living with dementia to take part.
Leeds Beckett University
Advisor: Claire Surr
