A new research project will explore the experiences of veterans diagnosed with dementia who live in their own homes in the community. Forces in Mind Trust has awarded £102,561 to the University of Manchester to fund the research project, which will be led by Dr Lydia Morris, alongside Professor Anthea Innes from McMaster University, Hamilton.

The research will focus on the everyday lived experience of veterans with dementia who live in the community, and build an evidence base so that effective support can be provided to veterans and their family members who provide care. The project will also explore perceived links between previous experiences in the Armed Forces and dementia diagnoses.

Anthea Innes, Professor of Health Aging and Society at McMaster University said: “This project was developed because veterans and their family members have told us that it is needed. It began by listening to those with lived experience, and hearing about their experiences of feeling overlooked and lacking appropriate support. As such, the research will focus on listening to these people, and the gap they have identified in the evidence which policymakers and practitioners have available to them.”

Dr Lydia Morris, a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Manchester said: “I am very pleased to be involved in this research because veterans living with dementia and their families have told us how much it is needed. It seems that these individuals can ‘fall through gaps’ in service provision and so be left unsupported.  We are keen to understand the issues and improve service provision.”

Tom McBarnet, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust, said “Forces in Mind Trust exists to support those transitioning from the Armed Forces to civilian life and their families. Little evidence exists on veterans’ experiences of living with dementia and the support they receive or would like to receive. This will be the first empirical research focussing on the everyday experience of this community and their families. We are pleased to be funding this important community-focussed research, which will give a voice to those living with this complex condition and their families.”

For anyone who supports veterans with dementia living in their communities in the Greater Manchester area who is interested in taking part in the research, please contact Dr Lydia Morris by emailing lydia.morris@manchester.ac.uk.