The University of Salford has established an Institute for Dementia that is engaged in research, innovation and education in supportive design and care for people living with dementia.

The Institute aims include:

• Making a positive difference to the experience of people and societies across the world faced with the challenges of dementia
• Developing a positive narrative to living with dementia that challenges myths and stereotypes that surround the condition
• Contributing to the movement to a dementia friendly society
• Establishing strong leadership and a clear focus for interdisciplinary research, innovation and education in the field of dementia design and support
• Focusing on a holistic approach that moves knowledge and practice forward in terms of a positive approach to dementia in societal behaviour, care practice and the environment
• Enabling collaboration of expertise in specific academic disciplines through inter-disciplinary work

The focus of Institute’s work is the maintenance of independence and the promotion of integrated support in the communities where people live. This includes:

• Leading a €400,000 pan European programme developing a new Masters in Dementia: Positive about Dementia, in collaboration with the University of Bournemouth (UK), Dublin City University (Ireland), University of Applied Sciences Saimaa (Finland), University of Maastricht (Holland) and Carinthia University of Applied Science (Austria).
• Evaluating a £1 million investment programme in dementia friendly hospitals and care homes in Salford.
• Evaluating a £1 million investment programme in dementia friendly environments at the University Hospital of South Manchester.
• Ensuring that our staff and students are aware of and understand more about dementia, through our programmes in health and social care and the built environment.
• Offering the opportunity for staff and students to become dementia friends where they can gain an understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.
• Ensuring that the University connects with people locally, nationally and internationally to enhance their understanding of dementia and how to live well with it
• Ensuring that the University develops new knowledge about dementia
• Supporting national and international sharing of information and collaboration on dementia design, care and support for living well with dementia by hosting the International Dementia Design Network at www.international-dementia-design.org