Media & Interviews

Introduction

Interviewer:
Frances, thank you so much for speaking with us today. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Frances Duffy:
Hi Rosie. My name is Frances Duffy. I’m a consultant clinical psychologist, an NHS clinical entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of 6D Dementia. I’ve been working in dementia care for over 15 years.

What is 6D Dementia?

Interviewer:
Can you tell us more about what 6D Dementia is and what led you to set it up?

Frances Duffy:
6D Dementia is a framework designed to help us understand dementia by understanding the whole person. It’s built around six dimensions:

• Physical health and wellbeing
• Life story
• Emotional wellbeing
• Activity
• Safety
• Environment

Wrapped around all of these is cognition.

At its core, 6D Dementia asks us to see the person without the label of dementia. We offer training programmes to help caregivers and health and care staff better understand dementia and see the world from the perspective of the person living with it, so care can be safe, respectful, and compassionate.

Identifying Unmet Needs

Interviewer:
How can we better identify the unmet needs of people living with dementia?

Frances Duffy:
People with dementia have the same needs as everyone else. They want to be healthy, happy, independent, and able to make their own decisions.

So we ask simple but important questions:

• Are they physically well?
• Are their health conditions being treated?
• Do they seem content?

If someone isn’t happy or can’t verbally communicate their needs, it’s our responsibility to look at their day, their environment, and what might be missing. Distress is often a signal that something needs to change.

Common Misunderstandings About Dementia

Interviewer:
Are there common misunderstandings you see in care settings or families?

Frances Duffy:
Yes—assumptions. Dementia affects everyone differently. No two people are the same, and there are over 200 types of dementia, each impacting the brain differently.

People often assume someone can’t understand or can’t do certain things, especially if they have limited verbal communication. Families also tell us that once a diagnosis is made, visitors stop coming—often because people feel uncomfortable or don’t know how to engage.

But communication isn’t only verbal. You can:

• Look at photographs together
• Play simple games
• Listen to music
• Share quiet time

The key is to meet the person as they are, not as the label suggests.

Language and “Challenging Behaviour”

Interviewer:
How does language shape our understanding of dementia, particularly phrases like “challenging behaviour”?

Frances Duffy:
I absolutely hate that phrase. The question should be: challenging for who?

Imagine lying in bed and two strangers come in and start removing your clothes. You’d be frightened and defend yourself. That reaction would be completely normal.

Yet this happens every day to people with dementia receiving personal care, and when they react with fear or resistance, it’s labelled as “challenging behaviour.”

Instead, we should ask:

• What does this feel like for them?
• What might they be experiencing?
• How can we help them feel safe and respected?

When behaviour is misunderstood, people are often prescribed medications with serious side effects. Perspective-taking is crucial.

Risk, Safety, and Autonomy

Interviewer:
How can we balance safety with autonomy and quality of life?

Frances Duffy:
We’ve become very risk-averse, especially with cognitive impairment. But people still deserve to live the life they choose.

For example, if someone with limited mobility keeps trying to stand up, instead of restricting them, we should ask why:

• Do they need the toilet?
• Are they bored?
• Do they want a change of scenery?

By providing meaningful activity, variety, and support, we reduce risk and improve quality of life.

What Person-Centred Care Really Means

Interviewer:
What does good person-centred care look like in practice?

Frances Duffy:
It starts with the person. To offer person-centred care, we must understand:

• Their life story
• Their likes and dislikes
• Their strengths and weaknesses

Even small details matter—like how someone takes their tea. Milk, sugar, strong or weak? Those details show we’re caring for a person, not just “someone with dementia.”

Technology and Dementia Care

Interviewer:
How can technology help support people living with dementia?

Frances Duffy:
Technology can be incredibly helpful when used thoughtfully. We should look at what someone’s day looks like from morning to night:

• Do they have routine and purpose?
• Do they have variety?
• Do they feel respected?

Technology can support this through:

• Tablets for games or video calls
• TV programmes suited to their abilities
• Music and sing-along activities
• GPS and safety tools to support independence

The goal is to help people remain independent for as long as possible.

Final Reflections

Interviewer:
Thank you so much, Frances. It’s been fascinating speaking with you.

Frances Duffy:
Thank you. Most caregivers genuinely want to do the right thing. But without understanding dementia, well-intended actions can sometimes increase distress.

At 6D Dementia, we help people see the world from the perspective of the person with dementia. That reduces distress for the person and burnout for caregivers—and ultimately leads to better care for everyone.