Dr Rachel Collins
Rachel Collins is a member of the Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health (REACH). She changed subject specialism having previously achieved a PhD and postdoctoral research experience in plant sciences. She was then program manager and lecturer for higher education courses in horticulture, arboriculture and forestry. She was also an associate lecturer and residential summer school tutor for the Open University for over 10 years. She has also worked for Alzheimer's Society as a Day Care Worker and was inspired to return to research supporting people living with dementia and completed a Master's Degree in applied health research to make the transition. She is a Research Fellow and has worked on a number of projects within the REACH team.
PhD in Plant Molecular Biology (University of Nottingham)
MSc in Applied Health Research (University of York)
PGCE (PCET) in Teaching and Learning (University of Southampton)
BSc in Biological Sciences (University of Exeter)
Dementia, dementia carers, connecting people living dementia with nature and the outdoor environment, continual professional development of practitioners.
The IDEAL programme
Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL). Funded by ESRC and NIHR.
Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life: a longitudinal perspective on living well with dementia (IDEAL-2). Funded by Alzheimer's Society.
A large cohort study social science programme exploring what enables people with dementia and carers to 'live well'.
http://www.idealproject.org.uk/
Identifying and mitigating the individual and dyadic impact of COVID-19 and life under physical distancing on people with dementia and carers. Funded by ESRC.
Additional funding made it possible to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the IDEAL participants.
ENLIVEN
Extending active life for older people with cognitive impairment through innovation in the visitor economy of the natural environment. Funded by ESRC-UKRI.
This project is a collaboration with the University of Exeter Business School and part of the Healthy Ageing Challenge. It aims to work with businesses to support older people with dementia and cognitive impairment to access and connect with the natural environment.
GREAT CR into Practice
Maintaining independence through goal-oriented cognitive rehabilitation: GREAT into Practice (GREAT-iP), funded by Alzheimer's Society.
The GREAT programme focuses on goal-oriented cognitive rehabilitation (CR) to support functioning, promote activity engagement and social participation for people living with early-stage dementia. GREAT CR was implemented into NHS services and in a care home setting, using both face-to-face and an e-learning course for practitioners.
https://sites.google.com/exeter.ac.uk/great-cr/home
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/life-after-dementia-diagnosis-guide-setting-reaching-goals
Previous research projects
Australian Centre for Research Excellence in Promoting Cognitive Health and Preventing Cognitive Decline (CRE).
Systematic review into psychosocial interventions for depression in family carers of people with dementia.
Sabatini S, Ukoumunne O, Ballard C, Collins R, Anstey K, Diehl M, Brothers A, Wahl H-W, Corbett A, Hampshire A, et al (In Press). Cross-Sectional Association between Objective Cognitive Performance and Perceived Age-related Gains and Losses in Cognition. International Psychogeriatrics Full text.
Sabatini S, Ukoumunne O, Ballard C, Collins R, Corbett A, Brooker H, Clare L (In Press). The Cross-sectional Relationship between Pain and Awareness of Age-Related Changes. British Journal of Pain Full text.
Sabatini S, Ballard C, Clare L, Collins R, Ukoumunne O (2021). Associations of subjective cognitive and memory decline with depression, anxiety, and two-year change in objectively-assessed global cognition and memory. Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition: a Journal on Normal and Dysfunctional Development Full text.
Sabatini S, Ukoumunne O, Ballard C, Collins R, Corbett A, Brooker H, Clare L (2021). Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between subjective sleep difficulties and self-perceptions of aging. Behavioral Sleep Medicine Full text.
Alexander CM, Martyr A, Gamble LD, Savage SA, Quinn C, Morris RG, Collins R, Clare L (2021). Does awareness of condition help people with mild-to-moderate dementia to live well? Findings from the IDEAL programme. BMC Geriatrics, 21(1).
Does awareness of condition help people with mild-to-moderate dementia to live well? Findings from the IDEAL programme
. People living with dementia vary in awareness of their abilities. We explored awareness of the condition and diagnosis in people with mild-to-moderate dementia, and how this relates to quality of life, well-being, life satisfaction, and caregiver stress.
. Methods
. This study was a cross-sectional exploratory analysis of data from the IDEAL cohort, which recruited people with dementia living at home and available caregivers from 29 research sites in Great Britain. Our study included 917 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 755 carers. Low and high awareness groups were derived from self-reported responses to a dementia representation measure. Logistic regression was used to explore predictors of awareness of condition and diagnosis using demographic, cognitive, functional and psychological measures, and the relationship with quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction ('living well'), and caregiver stress.
. Results
. There were 83 people with low awareness of their condition. The remaining 834 people showed some awareness and 103 of these had high awareness of their condition and diagnosis. Psychosocial factors were stronger predictors of awareness than cognitive and functional ability. Those with higher awareness reported lower mood, and lower scores on indices of living well as well as lower optimism, self-efficacy and self-esteem. Low awareness was more likely in those aged 80y and above, and living in more socially deprived areas. No relationship was seen between caregiver stress and awareness.
. Conclusions
. Awareness of the condition and diagnosis varies in people with mild-to-moderate dementia and is relevant to the capability to live well. Awareness should be considered in person-centered clinical care.
Clare L, Martyr A, Gamble LD, Pentecost C, Collins R, Dawson E, Hunt A, Parker S, Allan L, Burns A, et al (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on 'living well' with mild-to-moderate dementia in the community: findings from the IDEAL cohort. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Full text.
Sabatini S, Ukoumunne OC, Martyr A, Ballard C, Lamont RA, Collins R, Pentecost C, Hunt A, Quinn C, Thom JM, et al (2021). Relationship between self-perceptions of aging and 'living well' among people with mild-to-moderate dementia: Findings from the ideal programme. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 94, 104328-104328. Full text.
Choi A, Ballard C, Martyr A, Collins R, Morris RG, Clare L (2021). The impact of auditory hallucinations on "living well" with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL programme. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36(9), 1370-1377. Full text.
Sabatini S, Ukoumunne OC, Ballard C, Collins R, Kim S, Corbett A, Aarsland D, Hampshire A, Brooker H, Clare L, et al (2021). What does feeling younger or older than one's chronological age mean to men and women? Qualitative and quantitative findings from the PROTECT study. Psychology & Health, 1-24. Full text.
Sabatini S, Silarova B, Martyr A, Collins R, Ballard C, Anstey KJ, Kim S, Clare L (2020). Associations of Awareness of Age-Related Change with Emotional and Physical Well-being: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Gerontologist, 60(6), e477-e490.
Associations of Awareness of Age-Related Change with Emotional and Physical Well-being: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to synthesize and quantify the associations of awareness of age-related change (AARC) with emotional well-being, physical well-being, and cognitive functioning. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with a correlational random effects meta-analysis. We included quantitative studies, published from January 1, 2009 to October 3, 2018, exploring associations between AARC and one or more of the following outcomes: emotional well-being, physical well-being, and cognitive functioning. We assessed heterogeneity (I2) and publication bias. RESULTS: We included 12 studies in the review, 9 exploring the association between AARC and emotional well-being and 11 exploring the association between AARC and physical well-being. No study explored the association between AARC and cognitive functioning. Six articles were included in the meta-analysis. We found a moderate association between a higher level of AARC gains and better emotional well-being (r =. 33; 95% CI 0.18, 0.47; p
Sabatini S, Ukoumunne O, Ballard C, Brothers A, Kaspar R, Collins R, Kim S, Corbett A, Aarsland D, Hampshire A, et al (2020). International relevance of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC). BMC Geriatrics, 20 Full text.
Collins R, Silarova B, Clare L (2019). Dementia Primary Prevention Policies and Strategies and Their Local Implementation: a Scoping Review Using England as a Case Study. J Alzheimers Dis, 70(s1), S303-S318.
Dementia Primary Prevention Policies and Strategies and Their Local Implementation: a Scoping Review Using England as a Case Study.
BACKGROUND: Understanding the policy context and how policy is implemented at the local and clinical level is an important precursor to developing preventive strategies focusing on dementia risk reduction in primary healthcare settings. OBJECTIVE: Using England as a case study, we review policies and strategies relevant to dementia prevention from the national to local level and how these are translated into primary healthcare services. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review covering: 1) identification of national, regional, and local policies and strategies that include dementia prevention; 2) identification of national guidelines for implementing dementia prevention at the clinical level; and 3) evaluation of the implementation of these at the clinical level. RESULTS: Dementia prevention is addressed in national policy, and this filters through to regional and local levels. Focus on dementia prevention is limited and variable. Reference to modifiable risk factors is associated with other non-communicable diseases, placing less emphasis on factors more dementia specific. Evidence of implementation of dementia prevention policies at the clinical level is limited and inconsistent. Available evidence suggests messages about dementia prevention may best be delivered through primary healthcare services such as the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check. CONCLUSION: the limitations identified in this review could be addressed through development of a national policy focused specifically on dementia prevention. This could provide a platform for increasing knowledge and understanding among the general population and healthcare professionals. It would be important for such a policy to cover the full range of modifiable risk factors relevant to dementia.
Evans IEM, Martyr A, Collins R, Brayne C, Clare L (2019). Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in Later Life: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis, 70(s1), S119-S144.
Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in Later Life: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND: There is some evidence to suggest that social isolation may be associated with poor cognitive function in later life. However, findings are inconsistent and there is wide variation in the measures used to assess social isolation. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between social isolation and cognitive function in later life. METHODS: a search for longitudinal studies assessing the relationship between aspects of social isolation (including social activity and social networks) and cognitive function (including global measures of cognition, memory, and executive function) was conducted in PsycInfo, CINAHL, PubMed, and AgeLine. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted to assess the overall association between measures of social isolation and cognitive function. Sub-analyses investigated the association between different aspects of social isolation and each of the measures of cognitive function. RESULTS: Sixty-five articles were identified by the systematic review and 51 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Low levels of social isolation characterized by high engagement in social activity and large social networks were associated with better late-life cognitive function (r = 0.054, 95% CI: 0.043, 0.065). Sub-analyses suggested that the association between social isolation and measures of global cognitive function, memory, and executive function were similar and there was no difference according to gender or number of years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Aspects of social isolation are associated with cognitive function in later life. There is wide variation in approaches to measuring social activity and social networks across studies which may contribute to inconsistencies in reported findings.
Sabatini S (2021). Awareness of age-related change (AARC) and its associations with cognitive, mental, and physical health and well-being in the second half of life.
Awareness of age-related change (AARC) and its associations with cognitive, mental, and physical health and well-being in the second half of life
Background: Promoting positive self-perceptions of ageing could foster health maintenance in older age. Indeed, those individuals who perceive their ageing more positively show better cognitive, mental, and physical health over time. Most studies on this topic have relied on global and unidimensional assessments of self-perceptions of ageing despite older individuals generally experiencing both positive and negative changes. The awareness of age-related change (AARC) concept instead captures the coexistence of the positive (gains) and negative (losses) changes that individuals perceive across five life domains.
Aims: to validate in the UK population over 50s two questionnaires assessing AARC and to examine the associations of AARC with cognitive, mental, and physical health and well-being and sociodemographic variables.
Methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised and quantified existing work on AARC and health outcomes. The psychometric properties for two measures of AARC in the UK population over 50s were investigated. To further explore the validity of the AARC measures and interpretation of AARC items, participants' comments made in relation to their responses on the AARC questionnaires were categorised using content analysis.
Path analysis models and linear regressions estimated the association of AARC with objective cognition. Latent profile analysis identified groups of individuals with different combinations of levels of AARC gains and losses. Finally, differences in cognitive, mental, and physical health and sociodemographic variables across the identified profiles were examined.
Results: the AARC questionnaires have good psychometric properties among UK residents over 50s. There is great variability in the combination of levels of AARC gains and losses that individuals perceive. Higher losses are related to poorer cognitive, mental, and physical health. Higher gains show negligible associations with better mental and physical health and poorer cognition.
Conclusion: the AARC questionnaires may be useful to identify those UK individuals experiencing poorer cognitive, mental, and/or physical health and who therefore may benefit from interventions promoting adaptation to age-related changes
Rachel_Collins Details from cache as at 2022-01-16 18:42:37
School Governor roles:
General and SEND Governor - The Exmoor Federation, Dulverton, Somerset (2017-2019).
Co-opted and Finance Governor - Willand School, Willand, Devon (2019-2021).
Teaching and assessment roles:
Associate Lecturer and Residential School Tutor for The Open University on Biological and Health Sciences modules (2003-2016).
Observer in Teaching and Learning. North Yorkshire County Council (2012-2015).
External Examiner for FdSc in Arboriculture & Tree Management and BSc in Arboriculture & Tree Management. University of Worcester (2010-2014).