10050670Using BERRI methodology to support the psychological needs of older people with dementiaClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKFounded by a consultant clinical psychologist with specialist expertise about using data to support mental health across the lifespan, we developed a digital toolset (BERRI) that can identify and help to support children's psychological needs, tracking progress over time and generating individualised advice about how to support that child. This is a giant step forward compared to paper measures that take clinician time to score and interpret. Used in 380 residential children's homes and 12 local authorities, BERRI has already demonstrably saved millions of pounds for local authorities; an independent social and economic impact analysis shows savings of £108 by the public purse for every £1 spent on our services. Having established the methodology of screening and tracking needs via questionnaire, and then generating a custom report to advise caregivers and professionals, we recognised that the process by which we developed and spun out BERRI could be used to support the needs of other vulnerable population groups who are currently supported predominantly by unqualified caregivers. The biggest of these, and a growing challenge to UK health and social care services, is older people with dementia. Across the UK, 850,000 people have dementia, and it is estimated that this figure will exceed a million by 2025\. More than 400,000 older people live in residential/nursing care settings, where 70% of residents have dementia or severe memory problems. Many more people with dementia remain within their own home or live with family, receiving domiciliary care or support from partners, children or other family members. Research has shown training carers to support the individual psychological needs of people with dementia helps older people to retain functional skills for longer, have better quality of life and increases lifespan. We therefore propose to design and develop a product similar to BERRI to support those caring for older people with dementia; a population with which we have specialist expertise developing questionnaires and improving psychological outcomes. The Design Foundations Grant would allow us to research the needs of carers, and consider how we would develop and market a digital toolset to address the psychological needs of that population. We would consider what name and branding would be suitable for this market, what messaging would reach carers and care-provider organisations to best illustrate the value proposition, and encourage them to use our tools to support their loved-one. We could test marketing strategies and plan the next steps towards commercialisation.