Dementia blood tests could be available on the NHS in five years, Alzheimer’s Society claims, after launching the next phase of its Blood Biomarker Challenge, a £5 million award for the research team judged most likely to deliver. Applications for the challenge, a collaboration with Alzheimer’s Research UK and the National Institute for Health and…
The Power of Music Fund, a scheme to promote social prescribing for people with dementia and their families, opened on 22nd November for new grant applications. Musical initiatives for carers and people with dementia, such as dementia choirs, can apply for multi-year grants of either £1,000 or £2,000 annually, depending on the size and scope…
An easier way to administer an established treatment for Alzheimer’s disease has been developed by Luye Pharma. The twice weekly Zeyzelf rivastigmine transdermal patch is said by the company to be simpler than the daily rivastigmine patches already in circulation. It is also 52% less expensive than some other patches, the company says. Rivastigmine reduce…
Research priorities Research programmes have tended to focus on finding a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s, but how can we channel more funding into research to improve care and quality of life? Read More Work with local communities Former Department of Health (DH) civil servant Ruth Eley – now chair of the carer involvement group tide…
Aston University in Birmingham played host to the 17th UK Dementia Congress (UKDC) last week (November 7 & 8) when delegates from every corner of the sector came together for a lively and thought-provoking conference and exhibition. Celebration and concern Graham Stokes, from UKDC’s main sponsor HC-One, kicked off the proceedings by reminding the audience…
Co-created by people affected by dementia, a new film released by the IDEAL research project focuses on the importance of effective communication around dementia. Titled “The World Turned Upside Down,” it looks at the reality of living with dementia and caring for someone with the condition through a dramatic composition. People affected by dementia were…
Lifestyle coaching could help to slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study which found that a coaching regime that included computerised brain exercises could provide more cognitive benefit than Alzheimer’s drugs. Published online in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, research by the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) in Seattle…
Retired university professor Rex Last is offering a free download of his book “The informal Dementia Carer – who cares?” which is described as a “hard-hitting defence” of the informal carer. Professor Last’s wife, who died in July, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s which developed into dementia. He says the book is a plea from a…
For the first time NHS England has released data revealing that 34,412 people in England have been diagnosed with young onset dementia (YOD). But the NHS estimates that an additional 19,194 people in this age group may be undiagnosed, putting the potential total population of people with YOD at 53,606. “Until now, NHS England didn’t…
It has been a “turbulent year” for health and social care, says the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in its annual assessment of the state of care in England. The “State of Care” report for 2023 says care is “gridlocked” as the cost-of-living crisis bites harder and workforce pressures have escalated. Adult social care providers continue…