DementiaRoadmap

The Faculty for the Psychology of Older People (FPoP), formely known as PSIGE, is part of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology. It works to encourage the exchange of information, ideas and expertise about psychological approaches with older people.

It is a national group with members throughout the UK. Although primarily for Psychologists, membership is open to individuals from other disciplines and voluntary groups who share an interest in work with older people.

The Faculty aims to:

• Publicise the importance of psychological issues in how we age
• Challenge stereotypes and age discrimination
• Maintain a forum for exchange of expert knowledge and skills
• Provide and encourage education and training about late life issues
• Promote research which enhances the lives of older people
• Pioneer innovations in care
• Collaborate with professional and voluntary groups
• Advise and influence policy and services
• Support members at local, national and international levels

The Faculty has been working with partner organisations to represent the psychological perspective on dementia care.

The Faculty is a member of the Dementia Action Alliance. It is is also part of Memory Services National Accredication Programme (MSNAP) with participating seats on the accreditation committee as part of the workstream.

The FPoP National Committee and an extensive and expert reference group have contributed toward several other projects including a forthcoming BPS publication on Alternatives to Antispcyhotic Medication.

The FPoP Dementia workstream identified the area of early diagnosis of dementia as its priority. The following draft briefing papers have been produced to inform on psychological thinking, research and practice:

• Pre-diagnostic counselling and informed consent Jenny Lafontaine, Anna Buckell
• Neuropsychological Assessment Daniel Collerton, Rachel Domone, Sylvia Dillon
• Postdiagnostic support and psychological interventions Sue Watts, Rik Cheston, Esme Moniz-Cook, Candy Stone