More and more people are living longer in the UK and the number of people with dementia is increasing. Alzheimer’s Society estimates that the total cost of dementia in the UK is £42 billion. Sixty-three per cent of these costs are shouldered by people with dementia and their families. The cost of dementia in the UK is set to rise to £90 billion a year by 2040 unless action is taken.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), alongside Alzheimer’s Society, has invested £7.5 million in creating a network of specialist research fellows across England.
These research fellows – called the Dementia Community or 'DEMCOMM' – work on all aspects of care and support for people with dementia and their carers across the 15 NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) locations in England.
“This is a great team of people doing important work looking at all aspects of care for people with dementia, from nutrition to socialising to reducing the risk of falls," says Professor Ruth Bartlett, who leads the 60 DEMCOMM researchers:
People with dementia are just that – people – and there are a number of things they need in order to lead their best lives. Applied research uses the evidence of what works in the real world and puts it into practice, and that’s why this team of researchers can make such a difference
Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK, the biggest health and social care issue of our time. There is so much we can do to improve the care and support provided for people with dementia and their loved ones today, which is why we are proud to be part funders of the DEMCOMM initiative that will play a critical role in doing this
For Dementia Action Week (May 19-25), twenty events were held across England to promote better health and care for people with dementia and to showcase the research going on in different regions.
At ARC South London, the Dementia Community Research Network (DCRN) hosted their annual public engagement event, designed to spotlight both local dementia services and the latest developments in dementia research. Open to all, this free event included talks, information stalls, an artwork exhibition and an interactive musical performance.
The event was a valuable opportunity for members of the public, carers, support providers and researchers to come together in one space, learn from one another and discover how to get involved in life-changing research.