Sargent Group Consulting

16/06/2026

Why should people living with dementia and their families pay VAT on essential products and services?

Every day, thousands of families face the emotional and financial challenges of living with dementia. Alongside the cost of care, many rely on specialist products, support services and activities that help people remain independent, connected and safe.

Yet many of these essentials are still subject to VAT.

The Filo Project is supporting calls for this to change, campaigning for VAT to be removed from dementia-related products and services. It's a simple idea that could make a meaningful difference to families already under enormous pressure.

Reducing these costs would ease the financial burden on carers and families.
Plus improve access to equipment and support that enhances quality of life.

It should be recognised that dementia as a condition that deserves practical as well as emotional support and removing this cost will help more people live well with dementia for longer.

No one chooses dementia. Families shouldn't have to pay extra tax on the very things that help them cope with it.

It's time for a conversation about making dementia support more affordable and accessible for everyone.
Do you think VAT should be removed from essential dementia-related products and services? Share your thoughts below.

15/06/2026

Changing the conversation around dementia starts with listening.

Too often, people living with dementia are spoken about rather than with. Yet their experiences, opinions and insights are invaluable.

Recent discussions have highlighted growing concerns from people with dementia that their voices are not always being heard or represented in decisions that affect them.

Many are calling for a shift away from outdated stereotypes and towards genuine inclusion and partnership.

I was disappointed to read that one dementia charity will no longer have a designated person with the condition on its board.

A diagnosis does not erase a person's identity, wisdom or ability to contribute.

People with dementia continue to have hopes, preferences, relationships and expertise born from lived experience.

If we want to build truly dementia-inclusive communities, we need to stop making assumptions and start asking questions:

💙 What matters to you?

💙 How would you like to be involved?

💙 What support helps you live well?

Changing perceptions isn't just about awareness, it's about respect, dignity and ensuring that people with dementia have a seat at the table whenever decisions are made.

After all, the people best placed to shape dementia services are often those living with dementia themselves.

Often people with dementia are depicted adverts as little old people sat in a chair with a shawl around them and in many cases this could not be further from the truth. Many are capable, still living alone,taking part in activities and can contribute their views and opinions.

With over 1 million people with the disease and such a variety of symptons no single person, whether living with dementia or not, can represent the breadth of experiences faced by those living with, or affected by, dementia.

So I think its important for anyone with dementia to have their say and their views heard.

What do you think?

12/06/2026

Have you heard of The EquaDem Network Plus?
This is a national collaboration dedicated to tackling inequalities in dementia diagnosis, treatment, and care.

I recently attended a fantastic event they hosted at newcastle football club hosted by Prof Dame Louise Robinson.

Too many people still face barriers to timely diagnosis and access to support, particularly those from underserved and marginalised communities.

EquaDem Network Plus brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, community organisations, people living with dementia, and carers to better understand these inequalities and drive meaningful change.

By combining research, partnership working, and lived experience, the network aims to improve outcomes and ensure dementia care is more equitable, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.

Collaboration is essential if we are to reduce health inequalities and build services and provide products that truly reflect the needs of diverse communities. Thats why I feel there needs to be more engagement with business, social enterprises, cooperatives and community interest companies to support the dementia community.

Unlike other long term life limiting illnesses its the familes and patients that provide the greatest financial support. The dementia community are consumers who need consumer advice to ensure they can find the best products and services for their loved ones with dementia.

Thats why I think there needs to be a voices from these groups on the EquaDem Network and that the excellent work that they are doing and are planning to do needs to be shared with the consumers using sales and marketing tools and not just focusing on influencing governement and health and social care

Here is a link to their website for more info

EquaDem Network Plus unites researchers, professionals, and people with lived experience to make dementia care fairer for everyone.

10/06/2026

Last Saturday we had another fantastic afternoon at the Dementia Disco in Seahouses!

Local residents, carers and care home residents and staff came together for an afternoon filled with music, dancing, laughter and wonderful memories. It was a joy to see so many smiles, familiar songs bringing people together, and everyone enjoying the uplifting atmosphere.

A huge thank you to Dementia Disco for starting this brilliant charity event which sees so many discos across the UK.

We have replicated their ethos and created welcoming space where people living with dementia can connect, have fun and simply enjoy the moment. Initiatives like this make a real difference to individuals and their families.

We would also like to thank the amazing care homes who joined in and helped make the day so special:

The old vicarage wooler
The Grange Warkworth and Renington
The Grange Care Services In Northumberland
Summerhill Care Home Alnwick

The power of music to spark memories, encourage movement and bring people together is truly remarkable, and events like these remind us that living well with dementia is all about meaningful moments and shared experiences.

We raised an amazing £221 from the raffle and the donation cans had £75.66!

The next disco is on Saturday 11th July

Here's to many more afternoons of dancing, singing and making memories together! 🎶💃🕺

10/06/2026

We need to change the way we talk about dementia and adpat our ways of communication so we can better support our loved ones living with dementia. Too often, a diagnosis is treated as the end of someone's story.

But as highlighted in a powerful The Guardian feature, many people living with dementia are pushing back against that narrative and refusing to be defined by their diagnosis. I interviewed Maxine Linnell featured in this article on my podcast who is a dementia activist, along with another friend of mine, Julie Hayden.

Despite having dementia they are continuing to work, volunteer, advocate, study, create and contribute to society. They aren't asking people to ignore the realities of dementia, they're asking to be seen as whole people with value, autonomy and purpose.

The phrase that stood out to me was "prescribed disengagement": the idea that after diagnosis, people are expected to withdraw from life rather than continue living it.

It's a reminder that attitudes can be just as limiting as the condition itself.
Every person deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to live as fully as possible for as long as possible. Sometimes the biggest difference we can make isn't through medicine, but through changing our perceptions.

An important read that challenges stereotypes and reminds us to listen to the voices of people with lived experience.

In The Guardian article Maxine Linnell, 78, who is a retired psychotherapist said that after she was diagnosed with dementia four years ago, the diagnosis proved less challenging than some people’s reactions. “What was striking was how many people’s attitudes changed almost immediately, they stop seeing you as a person and see only dementia, some professionals included. Like this is the end and everything after will be devastating.”

The article also shared -
The assumption that you go overnight from diagnosis to late-stage dementia isn’t confined to family and friends. Julie Hayden, a nurse and social worker from Yorkshire, was diagnosed nine years ago at the age of 54, long after sensing that something was wrong but being constantly told that it was depression or menopause; her doctors still associated dementia with old age and didn’t consider that she might have had young onset. “At the point of diagnosis,” she recalls, “most of us are told: ‘Well, it’s dementia, nothing we can do about that. Best go away and get your end of life affairs in order.’

This week is carers week and I think all carers have the opportunity to support the voices of people living with dementia to ensure they are heard.

I will add the link in the comments to the article.

I would love to know your thoughts and thank you to the The Guardian for publishing this article and highlighting the importance of people being able to live as well as possible with dementia with as much independence that is possible.

05/06/2026

As someone who regularly looks at products and services that can help people living with dementia remain safe and independent, I recently had the opportunity to test the Bide fall prevention device invented by Dr Tom Adler and I was genuinely impressed.
You can find out more at Bide here on Facebook

Here are my thoughts: -

What I particularly like is its simplicity.

Unlike many monitoring systems, Bide doesn't require internet access or complicated installation. It's quick to set up and uses discreet sensors to detect when someone wakes up and starts to get out of bed.

It then provides light and can play a pre-recorded voice message from a loved one or carer, encouraging them to take their time and move safely.

For people living with dementia, confusion and disorientation during the night can increase the risk of falls.

A familiar voice offering reassurance can make a huge difference, helping someone feel calmer and more confident when getting up. The device can also help reduce anxiety for family members and carers who worry about their loved one's safety overnight.

Technology doesn't always have to be complicated to be effective.

It sits nice and easily on the bedside cabinet and we found it very easy to set up.

Sometimes the simplest solutions can have the biggest impact on quality of life, independence and peace of mind.

Have you come across any products that have made a real difference to someone living with dementia?

Do share in the comments if so.

03/06/2026

💃🕺This week is Volunteers' Week 🕺💃

As part of Volunteers' Week, I would like to take a moment to recognise and thank the wonderful volunteers who help make our Seahouses Dementia Disco such a special event.

Every month, our volunteers give their time so generously, helping to create a warm, welcoming, and joyful atmosphere for everyone who attends. From setting up the venue and welcoming guests, to serving refreshments, chatting with attendees, and joining in on the dancing, their support is invaluable.

What makes our Dementia Disco so successful is not just the music and entertainment, but the sense of community, friendship, and belonging that our volunteers help create. Their kindness, patience, enthusiasm, and willingness to get involved bring smiles to so many faces.

I know how much our attendees and their families appreciate seeing the familiar faces of our volunteers each month, and I certainly couldn't do it without them.

To every volunteer who has supported the Seahouses Dementia Disco, whether regularly or occasionally, thank you. Your contribution makes a real difference, and you are a valued part of our Dementia Disco family.

01/06/2026

Life is not perfect!

Activities can transform the lives of people living with dementia.

So it is about finding that activity that someone loves and it might be very different to something they liked before they were diagnosed with dementia.

It might be enjoying listening to music together, a spot of pottering around the garden or it could be arts and crafts.

We have found with our dementia disco many have discovered a love of dancing they never had before!

Or it might simply be sharing stories together.

Meaningful activities help maintain confidence, encourage communication, and create moments of happiness.

It’s not about doing things perfectly, it’s about enjoying the moment, feeling included, and staying connected.

Every person living with dementia deserves opportunities to laugh, engage, and continue doing the things they love. 🌻

Share you favourite activities

Our next Dementia Disco is on 6th June - we would love to see you there in Seahouses. Message me for details.

28/05/2026

I wanted to share some early observations from testing Sentai Limited

Sentai is a voice enabled virtual companion. It adds a caring presence to daily routines but without the intrusion. Sentai supports individuals with diverse care needs to live more independently. It does this by providing an intelligent conversational companion using AI, making it easier to voice needs, set gentle reminders, keep track of daily routines, and stay more connected with carers and family.

What’s becoming clear quite quickly is that timing changes how something like this is experienced. For someone thinking about staying independent for longer, it needs to feel simple, intuitive and importantly normal.

Sentai is best placed for adults living alone and whilst it can still work well and have value for dual partner households, it is most valued for single dwelling homes.

I am sharing some insights on what is working for me whilst I am testing it.

- Routines

My husband Gary and I are not great at routines, particularly as we have just moved from Leicestershire to Northumberland. I love the fact you can simply set it up to remind you about everything from medication to making shopping lists, to appointments. We’ve set it up where we have our meals and it has been part of our start to the day and has really helped us to keep a more healthy routine, particularly around meal times

- Volume

The volume it was super easy to set up and programme and adjust the volume as needed. The latter was really important as I ended up with a double ear infection and needed to adjust the volume continuously!

We found the ability to speak to it and ask it to create our shopping list really helpful. Gary had started taking some new medication so incorporating a well being score really helped Gary understand if it was working and share the information easily with his GP as an electronic summary was automatically created.

Where it could improve
There are moments where it risks feeling like it's interrupting you and asking you too many questions. However, you just have to be very direct and tell it when you will be able to speak and it is very compliant.

Initially Sentai didn’t respond very well to Gary’s voice, but as soon as I raised this with the team at Sentai they sorted it out.

I think it would be great if you could give it a name and decide how to activate it as Hi Sentai didn’t seem natural, however this is something that will be available in the future.

I also think it would be super if you could change the voice so it was a more familiar local dialect that the person is familiar with and sounded more like a person.

We found we used it to check weather, decide what we were doing that day, but it's not currently linked to play music.

Sentai did not give any medical information, it always said contact a health professional. I understand why this is the case, but I think it would be helpful if it could provide responses to information that is publicly available, like for example is sleepiness a known side effect of the medication I have just started taking?

For sons and daughters the lens is different, it’s about reassurance.
We tested the reminders

When I went away for work for a week, I added a few extra reminders for Gary and tested it as if I were his carer.

This is where it really came into its own. Each day, I received a simple summary of how he’d been, based on his interactions, wellbeing score, and activity. It helped me spot when he might be having a tougher day and when it was the right time to check in.

The other thing that became really helpful was the ability for Gary to just speak to Sentai and ask me to pick up some shopping when I was on my way home and for me to text a silly message to Gary which Sentai shared through speaking to Gary.

Knowing when to call

This was always a challenge supporting my parents and mother-in-law, this would have made it so much easier as I would have been calling when they needed a chat and not come across as overbearing.

The challenge is to avoid feeling like monitoring rather than support, but for me this is all about when you introduce it and deciding what you are and are not comfortable sharing with your family.

What stands out to me is the earlier something like this is introduced, the more important it is that it feels empowering for one person and respectful for the other.

I’ll keep testing and share a fuller view soon.

But I’m curious, what would make something like this feel helpful rather than premature?

Do share your thoughts in the comments.

27/05/2026

Our next Dementia Disco June 6th at Seahouses Social Club, 126 Main St, NE68 7TR from 5pm-7pm
Come along and enjoy the fun! You can book a free ticket here
https://portal.dementiadisco.org/