6D Dementia was created in response to a recurring pattern seen in dementia care: distress being treated as something to manage, rather than something to understand.
Across health and social care settings, people living with dementia often express unmet needs through changes in behaviour. These changes can be difficult for others to interpret, particularly during periods of illness, transition or environmental change. Too often, they are are labelled as “challenging” and met with pressure-led or task-focused responses, leaving families feeling unheard, staff feeling uncertain, and systems under strain.
Drawing on clinical psychology, research, and years of practice in dementia care, 6D was developed to offer a different way forward, one that helps people make sense of distress by looking at the whole person and the context around them.
The 6D framework brings together evidence, observation, and reflective practice to support calmer, more compassionate responses to distress. It is designed to be practical, accessible, and grounded in the realities of everyday care, supporting families, staff, and organisations to build confidence and understanding over time.
Dr Frances Duffy
Too often, responses to distress are shaped by pressure and risk, rather than by an understanding of what the behaviour might be communicating.
6D Dementia offers a psychologically informed framework that helps carers and teams ask better questions in the moment:
The approach aligns with NHS and wider health and social care priorities around prevention, workforce capability, reducing unwarranted variation, and supporting people to remain safely supported in their usual place of care wherever possible.
The 6D Dementia approach is designed to support consistent practice across teams and settings, rather than focusing solely on individual learning.
By providing a shared psychological framework and common language, it helps staff respond more confidently and coherently to distress, reducing variation in practice and supporting earlier, calmer responses.
Led by Dr Frances Duffy, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow, specialising in dementia care and workforce transformation.
The 6D Dementia approach builds on her clinical experience supporting people living with dementia, families and care teams across health and social care.
“It honestly felt like this training makes life SAFER for Mum.
A truly valuable resource”
“Really useful discussions around support planning and language that is used. Was introduced to materials that would be helpful to identify aspects of care and perspectives”
“I like that it focused on day-to-day experiences rather than academic and medical issues primarily”
Practical, evidence-informed learning designed for families, teams, and services supporting people living with dementia.
Discover how 6D helps reframe distress as communication and supports more responsive, compassionate care.
Every setting is different. We’re happy to talk through your needs and explore what might help.
