Developing collaborative relationships with rural-dwelling older men with dementia in the UK: lessons learned from a UK community technological initiative

This chapter discusses the process of developing collaborative working relationships with rural-dwelling older men with dementia. It outlines the potential challenges that facilitators may be faced with when engaging this population as well as solutions to address them. The lessons considered throughout the chapter are underpinned by theoretical knowledge and have been informed by reflexive practice through research that sought to enhance social inclusion in rural-dwelling older men with dementia using a technological initiative. Whilst there were many challenges throughout this applied research, some of which will be examined below, the initiatives were warmly received by the men and successfully adopted within all three rural communities. They continue to this day, three years after the completion of the study, with funding obtained from local organisations; thereby highlighting their success.