The module, which is essential for students of Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Paramedic Science, reflects the Scottish Government’s new Dementia Strategy. Launched in 2023 with input from DSDC, the Strategy focuses on empowerment and inclusivity for people living with a dementia.

Harnessing DSDC’s experience, students gain current best practice training in dementia care and design over a three year period, so they can gain confidence in delivering care to meet the values and principles of the Promoting Excellence Framework. The final semester of the module focuses purely on dementia friendly environments and design, which is unique in the UK among undergraduate nursing and paramedic courses.

The course is led by Professor Lesley Palmer, Professor of Ageing & Dementia Design, and DSDC’s Senior Dementia Consultant David Wilson-Wynne. Professor Palmer, is an architect specialising in dementia-friendly design, and David has extensive experience within the field of dementia care and was a clinician in the Scottish Ambulance Service. Lesley and David worked with Sarudzai Mutebuka, Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, to re-design the original Being Dementia Smart module.

Student feedback has already been incredibly positive. First year nursing student Paul Innes called the module “eye-opening” while student Benjamin Bowman said: “It just gives you that different viewpoint to be able to help the person better.”

It is our hope that nursing and paramedic students graduating from the University of Stirling will be better equipped to understand and support our ageing population. The course will showcase that it’s not just about how you provide care but also the space you provide it in.