Supporting Inclusion and Participation for People Living With Dementia: Ethnographic and Participatory Research Methods

Dementia researchers have persuasively argued for using flexible and creative methods with people dementia, to ensure their historically marginalised voices are now heard. This article builds on that work, examples from a study of medicines practices dementia informal carers. We two aims: firstly, we show the ways in which – linguistic ethnography diary-interview method can support inclusion participation dementia. Secondly, examine methodological insights dilemmas created by these methods. Our focus supporting all means communication (verbal, non-verbal, drawing, photography writing) underpinned our choice methods, turn facilitated participation. Using ethnographic approach supported participants use material objects tell stories; video-recording interactions encompassed non-verbal communication; diary-methods made non-linguistic knowledge production possible. Moving around home neighbourhood familiar enabled explain context lives. Paying attention sensory data new into skills family members develop employ when they provide care. The were not without challenges. Participants experienced tension balancing opportunities self-expression time effort involved participatory activities. For researcher, prioritising affective quality respectful research relationships whilst straying ‘faked friendship’ situated ethical dilemmas.