{"id":46546,"date":"2026-01-03T03:23:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T03:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/?p=46546"},"modified":"2026-01-03T03:23:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T03:23:52","slug":"c0r9pvx9821oat_mediumrssat_campaignrss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/2026\/01\/03\/c0r9pvx9821oat_mediumrssat_campaignrss\/","title":{"rendered":"I lecture Stirling University nursing students about my dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-0 bWRWzH\"><span data-testid=\"byline-contributors\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-11 cOQNNv\"><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"byline-contributors-contributor-0\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-5 gXJgDY\">\n<p><span class=\"sc-573fa0e8-7 gqeTMs\">Graeme Ogston<\/span><span data-testid=\"byline-contributors-contributor-0-role-location\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-8 bIfajQ\">Tayside and central reporter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gtLOOD\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a8fb\/live\/638e4220-dc05-11f0-932f-e1ac58e2c593.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a8fb\/live\/638e4220-dc05-11f0-932f-e1ac58e2c593.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/a8fb\/live\/638e4220-dc05-11f0-932f-e1ac58e2c593.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a8fb\/live\/638e4220-dc05-11f0-932f-e1ac58e2c593.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/a8fb\/live\/638e4220-dc05-11f0-932f-e1ac58e2c593.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/a8fb\/live\/638e4220-dc05-11f0-932f-e1ac58e2c593.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"BBC Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a lilac cardigan. Behind her are groups of students sitting at tables..\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Joan Lyon was diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s in 2023<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Speaking to almost 100 first-year nursing and paramedic students, Joan Lyon has her young audience in the palm of her hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">But Joan is not a university lecturer &#8211; she is a 75-year-old grandmother with dementia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The retired Episcopalian priest wanted something positive to come from her 2023 Alzheimer&#8217;s diagnosis, so offered her help to Stirling University&#8217;s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC).<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan now regularly delivers talks to students about her day-to-day life with the condition, navigating the online world, and the importance of treating dementia patients with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The university said Joan is integral to the success of its Being Dementia Smart module, the first in the UK to include dementia design for undergraduate nurses and paramedics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan also volunteers at DSDC, offering her input on research into better design for people with dementia and testing new dementia-friendly products from manufacturers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/b5e0\/live\/73786570-dc06-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/b5e0\/live\/73786570-dc06-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_618_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/b5e0\/live\/73786570-dc06-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/b5e0\/live\/73786570-dc06-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/b5e0\/live\/73786570-dc06-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/b5e0\/live\/73786570-dc06-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_618_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a lilac cardigan stands with her arms outstretched. She is speaking while three students watch.\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">The dementia module is compulsory for all nursing and paramedic science students at Stirling University<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan first noticed something was wrong in 2022 when her sister and daughter pointed out that she was asking the same questions and sending them the same emails.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She went to her GP with her concerns, and after a battery of tests was diagnosed on Hogmanay 2023 with Alzheimer&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan said the diagnosis did not come as a surprise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I knew something different was happening,&#8221; she said. &#8220;This was not normal forgetfulness, which does get worse as you get older, this was different.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">A chance encounter during a walk on Stirling University&#8217;s campus with her dog Bella, led to her involvement with its dementia centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said: &#8220;I&#8217;d often pass the Iris Murdoch Centre, I&#8217;d read her books and she had dementia of some kind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I thought, I wonder what goes on in here, so I just went in and asked.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/1ce3\/live\/9dc2da80-dc07-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/1ce3\/live\/9dc2da80-dc07-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_338_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/1ce3\/live\/9dc2da80-dc07-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/1ce3\/live\/9dc2da80-dc07-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/1ce3\/live\/9dc2da80-dc07-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/1ce3\/live\/9dc2da80-dc07-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_338_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a light blue waterproof jacket and a pink scarf. She is standing smiling in front of a building. On the wall of the building are the words Iris Murdoch Building.\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Joan was intrigued by the Iris Murdoch Building, knowing that the author was also diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Dementia affects an estimated 90,000 people in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">David Wilson-Wynne, DSDC senior dementia care consultant, said he &#8220;grabbed the opportunity with both hands&#8221; when Joan offered her help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">He said: &#8220;It&#8217;s not common for individual people to just come into the centre and ask to be involved with what we do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I had made Joan aware what the modules of the Being Dementia Aware were, gave her an overview and said, &#8220;you pick what you like&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a756\/live\/ca9cbef0-dc06-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a756\/live\/ca9cbef0-dc06-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_721_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/a756\/live\/ca9cbef0-dc06-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a756\/live\/ca9cbef0-dc06-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/a756\/live\/ca9cbef0-dc06-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/a756\/live\/ca9cbef0-dc06-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_721_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"David Wilson-Wynne, man with black hair and a beard smiles at the camera. He is wearing a white shirt and black T-shirt.\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">David Wilson-Wynne &#8211; part of the team who welcomed Joan with &#8220;open arms&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Glasgow-born Joan has lived in Papua New Guinea, Luxembourg and several regions of the UK, from Suffolk to Aberdeen, and has four children and five grandchildren.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She was no stranger to the university as her first job in 1970 after graduating from Strathclyde University was a year working in administration in the French department at Stirling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said: &#8220;I thought maybe I could be of some help, given that my diagnosis was early.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;So I was welcomed with open arms.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/db5e\/live\/cbf813c0-dc07-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/db5e\/live\/cbf813c0-dc07-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_586_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/db5e\/live\/cbf813c0-dc07-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/db5e\/live\/cbf813c0-dc07-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/db5e\/live\/cbf813c0-dc07-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/db5e\/live\/cbf813c0-dc07-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_586_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joan Lyon Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a blue sweatshirt. She is holding a brown and white dog with a red lead.\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">Joan Lyon<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Joan is still very active and enjoys walks with her dog Bella<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan began offering her help in studies and workshops at the DSDC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said the invitation to offer talks to the students &#8220;came out of the blue&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan said: &#8220;Because I&#8217;m used to public speaking, I thought yeah I could do this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;It&#8217;s trying to put a personalised approach into this, saying we are real people here, we are not a number, and we all react differently.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;My talks are not about &#8220;this is what Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is like&#8217;, I said this is my experience of it so far.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s about saying anybody can get Alzheimer&#8217;s.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/2666\/live\/5a9c1440-dc09-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/2666\/live\/5a9c1440-dc09-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_945_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/2666\/live\/5a9c1440-dc09-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2666\/live\/5a9c1440-dc09-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/2666\/live\/5a9c1440-dc09-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/2666\/live\/5a9c1440-dc09-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_945_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a lilac cardigan lectures a room full of students\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Joan has been sharing her experiences with nursing and paramedic students <\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">David said he is a &#8220;a huge believer&#8221; in a person-led approach to dementia care.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">He said: &#8220;For me, it&#8217;s about always giving Joan that choice and control over what it is that she wants to talk about, share her journey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I can stand up and deliver a lecture on dementia and maybe bore them to tears, but Joan can stand up and is the true expert here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;Joan is the one that we need to be listening to because she is the voice of lived experience and that helps inform everything that we should do.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">During the lecture, Joan told the students that she was &#8220;still compos mentis enough&#8221; to make use of the help that is available.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said that one of her sons helps with &#8220;the financial aspect of life&#8221; and said she fears being &#8220;treated like a child and not given choices&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan said the feedback from the students had been &#8220;hugely positive&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said: &#8220;I could tell that from the interest in the room, there was nobody having a conversation at the back table.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;They were all interested because they knew they were going to face this in their careers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/eb0f\/live\/931db230-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/eb0f\/live\/931db230-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_528_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/eb0f\/live\/931db230-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/eb0f\/live\/931db230-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/eb0f\/live\/931db230-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/eb0f\/live\/931db230-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_528_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A young woman with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a white top and a young man with brown hair wearing a hooded top\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Students Katelin Denney and Rory Clark said they were impressed with Joan&#8217;s lecture<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Katelin Denney, a first-year mental health nursing student, said she thought Joan&#8217;s lecture was &#8220;brilliant&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said: &#8220;I&#8217;ve never met somebody with Alzheimer&#8217;s or dementia before. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I really appreciate the fact that she was mentioning that she doesn&#8217;t like to be talked about or talked down to when people are having conversations.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Rory Clark, a first-year adult nursing student, said: &#8220;I thought Joan&#8217;s lecture was really inspiring. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I think I always envisioned someone with dementia to be quite confused and lost, but Joan, she was really good, she was really put together.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;It definitely changed my perception of what someone with dementia actually looks like.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;So I think it will definitely change the way I deal with dementia patients in the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/3057\/live\/abe9f670-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/3057\/live\/abe9f670-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_374_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/3057\/live\/abe9f670-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/3057\/live\/abe9f670-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/3057\/live\/abe9f670-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/3057\/live\/abe9f670-dc1b-11f0-a8dc-93c15fe68710.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_374_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A young man with a shaved head and round brown glasses, wearing a maroon zipped top and a white T-shirt, and a woman with long dark brown hair wearing a pink top\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Connor Walker and Kerry Aitken said Joan&#8217;s lecture was &#8216;fascinating and insightful&#8217;<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Connor Walker, a first-year adult nursing student, said: &#8220;It was really, really fascinating. I&#8217;ve cared for people with dementia before, but it can be a wee bit clinical.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;It&#8217;s all about care plans and more about sometimes making decisions for people. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;So it was really fascinating and quite touching to hear about her experiences.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I had that preconceived notion when I heard there was going to be someone with dementia (speaking), but I think it&#8217;s such a wonderful thing that she&#8217;s doing while she can.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">First-year nursing student Kerry Aitken said: &#8220;When she was standing up there, I had no idea that she had a diagnosis. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;Her views of her day-to-day life, how she copes and how she manages was very insightful to me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/5ef9\/live\/5213df30-d5e0-11f0-b33e-1f14457e259b.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/5ef9\/live\/5213df30-d5e0-11f0-b33e-1f14457e259b.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_24_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/5ef9\/live\/5213df30-d5e0-11f0-b33e-1f14457e259b.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/5ef9\/live\/5213df30-d5e0-11f0-b33e-1f14457e259b.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/5ef9\/live\/5213df30-d5e0-11f0-b33e-1f14457e259b.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/5ef9\/live\/5213df30-d5e0-11f0-b33e-1f14457e259b.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_24_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a lilac cardigan, stands in front of a big screen with a slide that says Intro to Being Dementia Smart.\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Joan&#8217;s talks are part of the university&#8217;s Being Dementia Smart module<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan still lives independently and continues to drive, although she now has to have an annual driving assessment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said she will &#8220;play it by ear&#8221; when it comes to lecturing in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan said: &#8220;I&#8217;m hoping that I can still do it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I&#8217;m aware that my situation is regressing or advancing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I am more forgetful, and I can get more stressed about preparing for things and remembering to take things with me. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;And the time will come when I can no longer do it, I don&#8217;t want to embarrass my audience.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Stirling is the only university in the UK to make the dementia module compulsory for all nursing and paramedic science students.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">David said: &#8220;We have first-year students that are now third years and they openly ask me how Joan is doing, how she is. I think that says it all, really.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;Joan does what she wants to do. She has control, she has choice, she&#8217;s confident, and she talks to the students, not like they&#8217;re students. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;She talks to them like human beings.&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/cf6d\/live\/b8166590-dc08-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/cf6d\/live\/b8166590-dc08-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_91_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/cf6d\/live\/b8166590-dc08-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/cf6d\/live\/b8166590-dc08-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/cf6d\/live\/b8166590-dc08-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/cf6d\/live\/b8166590-dc08-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767410632_91_I-lecture-Stirling-University-nursing-students-about-my-dementia.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Great British Care Awards Joan Lyon, a 75-year-old woman, with grey bobbed hair and glasses, wearing a brown and gold dress. She is receiving a Great British Care Award from the entertainer Steve Walls, who is wearing a black velvet jacket and a black shirt and tie\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">Great British Care Awards<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Joan, pictured with entertainer Steve Walls, received a Great British Care Award earlier this year<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Joan&#8217;s work alongside Stirling University recently earned both a Great British Care Award.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Judges said that Joan was &#8220;a courageous advocate for people living with dementia (who is) leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of compassionate clinicians&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">In the meantime, Joan is keen to continue her lectures and hopes other universities will follow suit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">She said: &#8220;This should be spread across the whole country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;I think there&#8217;s insufficient education about how common this is. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been great, it helps my brain, it really does, it keeps me functioning &#8211; so it&#8217;s good.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n#lecture #Stirling #University #nursing #students #dementia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Graeme OgstonTayside and central reporter BBC Joan Lyon was diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s in 2023 Speaking to almost 100 first-year nursing&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46547,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mzansi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46546","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46546"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46548,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46546\/revisions\/46548"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}