256 The Experience of a Dementia Diagnosis: Joint Submission from The Irish Dementia Working Group and The Dementia Carers Campaign Network

Members of the IDWG and the DCCN have differing experiences of receiving a dementia diagnosis. There is a disparity regarding how the diagnosis is communicated, follow up support and the approach of the clinician making the diagnosis.

To improve practice members of both self advocacy groups supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland collaborated with a GP to create a video targeting health care professionals.

The video aims to give an insight into the experience of receiving a dementia diagnosis and support best practice in the moment of diagnosis.

It communicates the lived experience of dementia to health care professionals and aims to inspire person centred communication and an understanding of the supports available to those health care professionals

1. Members shared their personal stories and gathered qualitative data from their fellow self advocates to create a script for the video.

2. Members collaborated with a GP expert to ensure health care professionals were aware of the supports available to them in making a diagnosis.

3. The video is currently being disseminated through professional groups, media and at conferences such as this

A member of the IDWG and the DCCN will present both the video and their experience of engaging with professionals on this matter.

They will offer quantitative data on presentations and qualitative data on their experience.

This is the first campaign which the groups have undertaken together and the first which targets Health Care Professionals.

As a member of the IDWG (living with dementia) says; `for us receiving a diagnosis is not the end of a journey it is the beginning and you can make a huge difference to how that journey begins.

The audience at the IGS Conference is a critical one for the self-advocates and they would very much welcome the opportunity to present.