Employment and work

Here you will find a collection of young onset dementia research studies related to employment and work. They have been selected by Dr Andrea Mayrhofer, Senior Research Fellow, Newcastle University,  Dr Louise Ritchie, Reader in Dementia (Research), University of the West of Scotland and Dr. Laura Lebec, Research Fellow, University of the West of Scotland. Some of the links we provide are to the abstract only. For a full paper it may be necessary to subscribe to the site or to pay a fee.

Title – Young onset dementia: implications for employment and finances
Summary – 2023 study that explores the specific impact that young onset dementia has on continued employment and finances. Click here

Title – Working towards inclusion: Creating technology for and with people living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia who are employed
Summary – 2022 paper presents a two-part study involving interviews and participatory sessions to begin to understand the workplace experiences and the role of technology among people living with MCI/EOD. Findings are presented from working with seven people with MCI/EOD and two care partners to explore technology design. Click here

Title – Experiences of influencing one’s own life when living with working-age dementia
Summary – 2021 inter-disciplinary study was to explore how working-age people living with dementia seek to influence their lives, and what makes it easier or more difficult for them in their everyday life. Click here

Title – Designing work with people living with dementia: Reflecting on a decade of research
Summary – 2021 paper argues that people living with dementia have the right to live as full citizens and have full participation and inclusion in all aspects of life. Click here

Title – Dementia in the workplace: are employers supporting employees living with dementia?
Summary – 2021 research sends out strong messages about the rights and legal position of person living with dementia which cannot be ignored. Click here

Title – Understanding the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia on individuals and families in the United Kingdom
Summary – 2021 paper focuses on the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia. The findings highlight aspects of the financial consequences of a diagnosis of young onset dementia for individuals and families. Click here

Title – Dementia, work and employability: using the capability approach to understand the employability potential for people living with dementia
Summary – 2020 study exploring the potential for supporting and promoting the employability of people living with dementia. Click here

Title – Dementia in the workplace: the implications for career development practice
Summary – 2019 study that argues that more attention needs to be given to supporting employees with dementia to either remain in work or exit the workplace, and that career development practice has a key role in this. Click here

Title – A beginning and not the end: work after a diagnosis of dementia
Summary – 2018 article offers new ways of conceptualising the struggles of disabled workers to continue with their project of self-becoming through work. It shows how work practices can enact violence through ‘non-recognition’ and how workers can subvert this violence to create opportunities for future development. Click here

Title – Dementia in the workplace case study research: understanding
the experiences of individuals, colleagues and managers
Summary – 2017 study aims to explore the employment related experiences of people with dementia, and attitudes of employers and/or co-workers towards supporting people with dementia, in order to identify the potential for continued employment post diagnosis. Click here

Title – Young onset dementia: Negotiating future workplace roles and identities
Summary – 2017 study on the significance of meaningful activity; how can such activities be constructed. Click here

Title – Sustaining people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment: in employment: a systematic review of the evidence
Summary – 2016 systematic review of the literature concerning young people with dementia who are either in employment or wish to be employed.  Eight articles were reviewed which highlighted the need for reasonable adjustments and sheltered employment opportunities to support continued engagement with employment. Click here

Title – What are the experiences of people with dementia in employment?
Summary – 2016 paper on the rise in retirement age means that number of people developing dementia whilst in employment will rise. Click here

Title – An exploration of the impact of younger-onset dementia on employment
Summary – 2016 – Post formal employment: little expectation that a person might continue to work in a different capacity perhaps; implication: lack of opportunities. Click here

Title – Creating a dementia friendly workplace: A practical guide for employers
Summary – 2015 – The Alzheimer’s Society addresses issues such as ‘dementia friendly employers’; creating a dementia friendly working environment; practical tips; supporting the person living with dementia in the workplace (early phase / ongoing support / leaving work). ​Click here

Title – Evaluation of a workplace engagement project for people with younger onset dementia
Summary – 2015 – Work as therapy.  Participants wore staff uniforms to create a sense of identity and to be identifiable as staff for customers. Click here

Title – Dementia in the workplace: a review
Summary – 2015 – ‘A common finding was that employers appear to lack knowledge to enable them to support people with dementia or cognitive impairment in the workplace.’ Click here

Title – “It’s nice to have something to do”: early onset dementia and maintaining purposeful activity
Summary – 2014 paper on traumatic secession of work; need for purposeful activity; need for increased education and awareness in the workplace. Click here

Title – Side by Side: A workplace engagement programme for people with younger onset dementia
Summary – 2013 demonstration project: Seven people with mild dementia work one day per week beside a work-buddy in a large metropolitan hardware store.  Work-buddies are store employees who have undergone dementia training. Click here