Donanemab approval delayed by US drugs regulator 

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced an advisory panel will be convened to scrutinise data on the safety and efficacy of new Alzheimer’s drug donanemab. Donanemab had been expected to be approved by the FDA imminently, but their decision is now delayed until later this year.  UK regulators (along with their European … Read more

Deafness and dementia to be explored in ‘The Promise’ 

Deafinitely Theatre has created ‘The Promise’, a stage show that follows the story of a family navigating deafness and dementia.  The creation of ‘The Promise’ has been in conjunction with deaf families experiencing dementia and scientists studying dementia and its impact on deaf people. It has been two years in the making, led by Paula … Read more

Blood tests to detect dementia to be offered by UK Memory Clinics 

A five-year project to study blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia has been announced, funded by the Blood Biomarker Challenge (Find out more about this here: https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/blood-biomarker-challenge-for-dementia-diagnosis).   Led by University College London (the ADAPT study) and the University of Oxford (the READ-OUT study), a range of blood tests will be conducted … Read more

Skills for Care is ‘Celebrating Social Care’ 

Skills for Care has dedicated April to Celebrating Social Care, their yearly campaign to highlight the great work being done in the sector. Skills for Care has run this campaign every year since 2022, and encourage participation from across the social care sector.   You can find out more and get involved here:  https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/news-and-events/Spotlight-on/CelebratingSocialCare.aspx

The Dysphagia Guide – Updated for 2024 

elearning for Healthcare, in partnership with NHS England, has shared an updated learning resource to support knowledge and understanding of the management of dysphagia.  The Dysphagia Guide e-learning resource has been co-developed with care home staff but is also relevant to other health and social care staff, informal carers and people with dysphagia. The Guide … Read more

EOLC Report: Living a Good Life at Every Stage 

Care Talk and the Palliative and End of Life Care Awards have published a report, following a roundtable discussion they held in February 2024, entitled: ‘Living a Good Life at Every Stage – The Role of Palliative and End of Life Care in Enabling a Good Death’.  The report documents knowledge shared by 15 sector … Read more

Together Project reports 

The Together Project, a national charity that aims to boost wellbeing, reduce loneliness and foster community engagement through intergenerational experiences, has published updates on its impact and work in 2023.  The Together Project encompasses different work-streams, which often include involvement from people with dementia. It has published the following documents:  You can read all the … Read more

Study shows neurological conditions are the leading cause of worldwide ill-health and disability 

The Lancet Neurology has published a study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, showing that neurological conditions are the leading cause of ill-health and disability in the world.   Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia were cited alongside stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), migraine, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and other conditions.  The study, … Read more

‘I just feel that no one cares’ – New report from Age UK 

The mental health challenges facing over 50’s are the focus of Age UK’s newly released ‘I just feel that no one cares’ report.   Encompassing results from Age UK’s polling and survey work, the report focuses on the following topics:  ‘I just feel that no one cares’ highlights how mental health challenges for specific sub-groups such … Read more