To create the service, the innovation model LIFE (Learn, Investigate, Find, Experiment) was used which was developed by Good Innovation (and then adopted and tailored within the Alzheimer’s Society’s Innovation team).
This innovation model has been implemented by many third sector organisations, including The Royal British Legion, British Red Cross, and Arthritis Research UK.
The LIFE model consists of the following four stages:
1. Learn
During the Learn stage, we undertook desk research and conducted interviews with key stakeholders. Our findings enabled us to develop our concept of supporting serving personnel and their families in caring for someone with dementia from a distance.
2. Investigate
In the Investigate stage, we spoke with serving personnel and their families affected by dementia to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they faced.
3. Find
As part of the Find stage, we held a workshop to co-create ideas to overcome these challenges. 22 people attended, including serving personnel, product designers and many more, generating over 50 ideas.
The project team reviewed all of the ideas, taking into account feedback from the workshop and their viability, desirability and feasibility. The top four solutions were built on further and then shared with our stakeholders and audience for feedback.
4. Experiment
Following review of the feedback on the ideas, we developed our Navigating Dementia project to take forward two solutions into the Experiment stage, where we would build and test them in real-world situations: [Line break here] [Bullet pointed] An online community providing resources and networks for the RAF Community who are affected by dementia, including those who have a diagnosis of dementia, and those with carer responsibilities [Line break and bullet point] Awareness and training for carers through a training course for members of the RAF Community who are caring for someone living with Dementia.
