Helen Young

Biography

Helen has a background as a community physiotherapist, working within the NHS across Yorkshire for many years. Working clinically with people with dementia and other degenerative neurological conditions sparked a particular interest in this field. Driven by a desire to better influence quality of care and improve people’s quality of life, Helen gradually moved into research roles via a clinical academic internship and post-graduate study.

Since 2023, Helen has worked as a research assistant with the Department for Applied Dementia Studies. She was researcher on the DYNAMIC project, looking at current practice in social care for people with young onset dementia and their families and then as part of the co-production of resources for improvement. Helen is now supporting a clinical trial, the INGEST study, which is looking at the clinical and cost effectiveness of discontinuing or continuing the use of thickened fluids in adults with swallowing impairment.

Research

I have recently finished working on the DYNAMIC study which used mixed methods and involved people with lived experience throughout. The research identified two key priority areas for improvement in social care for people with young onset dementia and their families. These areas were:

• To raise awareness among social care staff about the social care needs of people with young onset dementia and their families. Read more here
• To improve strategies for managing the financial impact of living with young onset dementia. Read more here

Animations and associated information leaflets were co-produced to target these priority areas. These can be viewed via the Young Dementia Network DYNAMIC project webpages 

I am currently working on the INGEST trial (dIscontinuing or continuiNG thickEned fluidS Trial) which is a randomised controlled trial looking at the use of thickened fluids in people with slowly progressing swallowing difficulties. This research is in its early stages but will include the co-design of a discontinuation protocol, a mixed methods process evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis and a strong focus on inclusivity.