UK government announces funding for technologies to help people with dementia live at home for longer
The UK government has announced £6.7m of funding for research aimed at creating technologies to help people living with dementia to manage their symptoms and remain safe and well at home for longer.
The four networks that will benefit from this funding are:
- University of Sheffield ‘BRIDGES for Dementia Network’ who are developing technologies to help people with dementia communicate more effectively.
- Heriot-Watt University ‘CONSOLIDATE Network’ who are developing technology to anticipate and hopefully slow the progression of dementia symptoms.
- Northumbria University ‘TEDI Network Plus’ who are developing local hubs in rural and remote areas to help people with dementia to access technology that can help them with daily tasks.
- Imperial College London ‘ZeDTech Network’ who are developing tools to support independent living using artificial intelligence (AI).
The networks will collaborate with people living with dementia and carers to ensure lived experience is at the heart of the innovations being developed, alongside working with the NHS, Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and local authorities and councils. The work forms part of the NHS ‘Plan for Change’ to move healthcare from hospitals into the community.
The Department for Health and Social Care say:
“According to an Alzheimer’s Society survey, 85% of people have said they would prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible if diagnosed with dementia, but many are currently unable to do so. It is hoped these projects will help slow the progression of the disease and provide a better quality of life for people living with dementia, to help people out of hospital and back into the community, where they’re most comfortable.”
You can find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backed-technologies-support-those-living-with-dementia