{
  "abstract": "Background Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally, physically, and socially demanding. Many carers face isolation, burnout and have limited access to consistent specialist advice. Traditional services often operate in silos, leaving families struggling to coordinate care and find emotional support. Those with lived experience highlight the value of peer support which offers mutual understanding. When combined with the clinical guidance of Admiral Nurse specialists in dementia, trained by Dementia UK, this dual support model addresses both emotional and practical challenges of dementia care. The Dementia Lounge represents a person-centred solution as described by Kitwood (Dementia reconsidered: the person comes first. Open University Press; 1997) to meet these needs in a relaxed, inclusive environment.Aim To improve the quality of life, confidence and resilience of dementia carers and their loved ones, through integrated peer support and specialist care access.Method Provide regular, direct access to Admiral Nurse and Admiral Assistant within a community setting, like Trinity Hospice, by facilitating peer support groups and carer led discussions. Offer stimulating, safe activities for people living with dementia and their carers. Create a welcoming, dementia friendly environment where families feel seen, supported and empowered. Reduce social isolation and carer stress through peer support, in a supportive safe space for all. Measured by completing Admiral Nurse ‘friends and family feedback’ forms and questionnaires to review the effectiveness of the sessions.Successful launch and ongoing Dementia Lounge groups, every second Tuesday of the month, hosted in a familiar, accessible community venue. Offering 1:1 Admiral Nurse clinics and participant activities, to bring about joy and a sense of purpose, such as music, art, and gentle exercise.Conclusion The Dementia Lounge represents a vital evolution in community-based dementia support. Bridging clinical expertise with the power of peer connection, this model offers a transformative experience, grounded in dignity, empathy and shared strength.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services, Blackpool, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Maxine Emslie"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services, Blackpool, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Julie Woolley-Hemming"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-56 Dementia lounge: for those living with dementia and their carers",
  "uid": "23b8c902-98a4-5926-93e0-d44fc10c842e"
}