Dementia through the eyes of a child: a student's perspective

The University of the West of Scotland, School of Health Nursing and Midwifery, has collaborated with South Lanarkshire Council Education Department to enhance the student learning experience through the research, development and delivery of a variety of health promotion/health education topics to children in primary and secondary schools within the South Lanarkshire area.

This established partnership has allowed the Health Promotion team to introduce the topic of dementia to school children, 9-12 years of age. This work is underpinned by the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence, Health and Well Being Programme (2004), Dementia Strategy (2010), Dementia Standards (2011) and Promoting Excellence (2012) which highlight the increasing need for public awareness and better understanding of this condition (NHS Education for Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council, 2011).

Final year BSc Adult Nursing students supported by Part 1 Adult students researched dementia and contributed to the development of an interactive teaching plan suitable for school children. Students delivered the interactive teaching session on dementia which was followed by a workshop where pupils were exposed to a simulated ‘dementia experience’.