Love Cushions

People with two or more chronic health issues in middle age are more than twice as likely to develop dementia, according to research from University College London published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The more severe the illnesses, the stronger the link seems to be, and for those with more than two conditions the risk…

Alzheimer Scotland’s Centre for Policy and Practice (ASCPP) has published reports and associated resources exploring the health and social care of people living with diagnosed or suspected dementia in prisons.  The ASCPP research into dementia and prisons highlights statistics showing that numbers of prisoners aged 60+ in UK prisons trebled between 2002-2016, and that 7.2%…

Research published in the Jama Ophthalmology journal has suggested that up to one in five cases of dementia in older people might be avoided if problems with eyesight are prevented or treated.  Vision loss was highlighted as a modifiable risk factor in the recently updated Lancet Commission study on risk factors https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/the-lancet-risk-factors-for-dementia, suggesting 2% of…

Researchers from the University of Manchester are investigating if methazolamide, a drug given to people with glaucoma, can treat Alzheimer’s disease and whether thiazolidinediones, prescribed to people with diabetes, can prevent or treat vascular dementia.  Both studies are backed by Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK). Dr Susan Kohlhaas, Executive Director of Research and Partnerships at ARUK,…

For those wondering how to create an actively used garden for a care setting, a new handbook by seasoned garden writers Debbie Carroll and Mark Rendell may be the answer.  A Designer’s Handbook for Creating Actively Used Care Setting Gardens is part of the writing duo’s “Why don’t we go into the garden” series and…