Stand by Me is a research project at University of Stirling that aims to find out more about the experiences of couples with a learning disability when one partner has dementia. The idea for this study came from a married man with a learning disability who has dementia and shared his concern about how the diagnosis may impact on his relationship. To date, no studies have been conducted with couples who have a learning disability where one partner has a diagnosis of dementia.
MacIntyre has been approached by University of Stirling to help find couples or surviving partners who would be willing to take part in this research.
This new research will inform health and social care practice in learning disability and dementia services.
Who can take part
- People with a learning disability who have capacity to agree to take part. The relationship should be (or have previously been) for a minimum of six months. If one partner has died, then their death must be more than twelve months before their surviving partner is approached to take part in the study.
- Social care staff who have current or previous experience of providing support to one or more people in a relationship affected by dementia.
- Family members are invited to join the study if they have, or had, a relative in a relationship where one partner has/had a diagnosis of dementia.
