Dementia decisions

THE extent to which people with learning difficulties who suffer from dementia can make decisions about their lives is the subject of a Stirling University study.

Researchers will interview 20 people about their views and wishes. Kirsten Stalker of Stirling's social work research centre and Murna Downs of the dementia services development centre, who have won more than Pounds 40,000 from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said that discussion about choices tended to be in relation to family carers rather than the individuals themselves. "The main aims of this study will be to explore how far and in what ways people are involved in making choices about their lives and the factors that help or hinder them in doing so," Dr Stalker said.