Our Impact: Evaluation of TeamUp for Dementia Research
Independent evaluation highlights the value and impact of TeamUp for Dementia Research
Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by L. O’Mahony, S. Fox, S. Timmons, and E. O’Shea. Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, University College Cork
A recent independent evaluation of the TeamUp for Dementia Research (TUDR) service explored the experiences of members, researchers and stakeholders. The findings confirm that TUDR is making a meaningful difference while identifying exciting opportunities for future growth.
TeamUp for Dementia Research Members
- 345 registered members
- 19% people living with dementia
- 58% current family carers
- 23% former family carers
- 78% rated their experience of the service as Excellent or Good
A Mixed Methods Approach
The evaluation gathered the experiences of people from across Ireland’s dementia research community through interviews and surveys.
- 21 interviews
- People living with dementia
- Family carers
- Researchers
- ASI staff
- National policy stakeholder
What we learned
Research participation matters
Research participation gives people affected by dementia the opportunity to contribute, learn and make a meaningful difference.
TUDR fills an important national role
The evaluation found that TUDR provides a trusted pathway of connection; it supports researchers to recruit participants efficiently and offers people affected by dementia research participation opportunities in a streamlined and person-centred way.
The service is ready to grow
The personalised support that members value is a key element of the service. The evaluation identified opportunities to expand awareness, strengthen digital systems and increase capacity while preserving this important aspect.
Voices from the Evaluation
“It straddles a very interesting line, between altruism and complete selfishness … You’re doing it to be plugged in and you’re doing it to keep an interest … After years of nothing, it feels like we’re on the cusp of something, and for me it is reassuring to be part of that.”
– TeamUp for Dementia Research Member
“TUDR is actually helping to dispel that view of people with dementia as passive recipients of care. [They are] contributors to their communities and to their lives and the lives of other people.”
– Researcher
“Being part of research was really important to him because I think it gave some meaning to what he was going through”
– TeamUp for Dementia Research Member
“TeamUp was by far the most efficient recruitment route.”
– Researcher
Why this Evaluation matters
TeamUp for Dementia Research was created to make dementia research more accessible to all people affected by dementia. Five years on, this evaluation provides independent evidence of the service’s impact and identifies practical recommendations for future development. The findings will help shape the next phase of the service’s growth.
Person Public Involvement (PPI)
The research team was supported by a Project Steering Committee (PSC), convened to provide academic guidance throughout the evaluation. In addition, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) advisors were involved from the outset, ensuring that the lived experience of dementia remained at the heart of the evaluation and informed the project throughout.
Our thanks are extended to the members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), which comprised academics, researchers, and policy- and decision-makers, as well as to the members of the PPI Advisory Committee:
Mrs Nuala Paley
Mr Raymond Cregan
Mr John Crowley
Resources
Please click on the images below to read the report in full or the Plain Language Summary
