“A Students Experience: Public Patient Involvement (PPI) Workshop and Lunch and Learn” blog by: Gilbrea Fall Placement Student, Jess Downer
Over the last semester, I have had the pleasure of volunteering with the Gilbrea Centre for Studies on Aging as part of my course HLTHAGE 3EE3. This placement has provided me with many opportunities to apply concepts I have learned, connect with my peers, and older adults and expand my knowledge. I have participated in lunch and learns, intergenerational events, workshops and more. During the second week of November, I attended a very important workshop on Public Patient Involvement (PPI), and a subsequent book launch with guest speakers from Ireland, Helen Rochford-Brennan and Carmel Geoghegan (pictured below).
The PPI workshop presented by Helen, Carmel and Anthea on the importance of PPI in dementia research policy and practice was of great interest for me personally because over the last six months, I have felt that I slowly am losing my grandma to dementia. Having the opportunity to hear from Helen, a person living with dementia since her diagnosis at aged 58, was compelling and inspiring, and gives me hope for the older adults in my life. Since her diagnosis, Helen never allowed things to prevent her from living the life she previously did. She found tools that help her maintain her quality of life, such as using a calendar, sticky notes and a diary. Helen notes “I can connect with people, walk the dog, anything to keep the brain working”, and emphasizes “connect, connect, connect” to stimulate the brain. As an international ambassador, advocate for people living with dementia and a strong supporter of people living with dementias inclusion in PPI, Helen underscores the importance of insights from lived experiences, which can help to transform how society see people with dementia.
Carmel Geoghegan is an advocate and supporter of campaigns that keep spotlight on dementia and end-of-care and creator and ongoing advocate of Dementia Ireland. She spoke about her lived experiences being her mother (who had dementia) primary care partner. Carmel’s goal was to remind people to understand dementia as a progression, not a cessation. That is important to work in partnership with people with lived experiences to enhance and co-design research and policies. The workshop concludes with the last line being “co-create, co-design, and co-produce”
