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Dr Melanie Handley
Name:
Dr Melanie Handley
Job title:
Research Fellow
Place of work / study:
Area of Research:
Dementia care in hospitals
How is your work funded?
Alzheimer’s Society Project Grant
Tell us a little about yourself:
I started working at the University of Hertfordshire as a research assistant in 2009 on projects that explored the care of older people with complex needs. Most projects were based in care homes and all included people who had or supported someone with cognitive impairment or dementia. These early career experiences developed my interest in pursuing a research career working with people with dementia. In 2014 I started an Alzheimer’s Society funded PhD looking at the factors that support good dementia care in hospitals. Currently, I am leading the CONNECT study, which is funded by Alzheimer’s Society and builds on work from my PhD. Through CONNECT, we aim to co-design and test an intervention that supports person-centred care in hospitals by working with hospital staff and people with dementia.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I am training my dog in agility and hope to one day take part in agility competitions.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
I am interested in understanding how healthcare services can be adapted to improve the experiences and outcomes of people with dementia and their families.
Dr Sam Moxon
Hannah Hussain