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Alexandra McCauley
Name:
Alexandra McCauley
Job Title:
Director Isle View Nursing Home
Place of work / study:
AKAM Care Ltd, Scottish Highlands
Area of Research:
As a Nursing Home Provider I’m involved in many aspects of the running of my home, including facilitating and planning research activities focussed on improving the quality of care and quality of life of our Residents with Dementia. I have brought Dementia training from Edinburgh University up to the Highlands. I am currently working with the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) to support a 6 month research project in our home focussing on creative activities and use of technology with our Residents with Dementia.
How is your research funded:
N/A
Tell us a little about yourself:
My background is in Cognitive Psychology, having done a MA in Psychology followed by a Masters MSc in Cognitive Psychology at Edinburgh University. I went on to work on care sector projects with the university funded by NHS Education for Scotland, Quality Improvement Scotland with Care Inspectorate support. 14 years ago I decided to really get involved and my husband and I became a Nursing Home Provider, running Isle View Nursing Home in the remote Scottish Highlands. I’ve also trained in a number of “non-mainstream” brief change work therapeutic modalities and would love to see their incorporation into research in this area.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I collected stones as a child… and my best stone, I thought contained the soul of my favourite pop star (I won’t say who!).
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
Providing high quality appropriate local care services for people with Dementia is a huge priority given the current demographics in Scotland. I am most passionate about effectively applying research in this area to generate tangible, practical improvements to the lives of people living with Dementia.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
The map is not the territory. When applying research and theory things can look very different depending on the context and reality on the ground. Get to know your territory first.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Have a baby…. would recommend that, but no time to read a book!
Favourite film of all time?
Probably something Sci-Fi related.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Writing, in particular Poetry. Reading. Photography. Watching films, dance and musical productions. Listening to podcasts. All the things I don’t have time to do right now.
NIHR
