People living with dementia are set to benefit from government-backed research designed to help them live more independently in their own homes.
Four new research networks led by the UK’s top researchers, developers, health and social care professionals will focus on creating technologies to help dementia patients manage memory loss, communication difficulties, and cope better with everyday tasks.
The teams will work alongside people living with dementia and carers to ensure lived experience and changing needs are at the heart of innovation. This initiative is part of the government’s Plan for Change to shift healthcare from hospitals into the community, delivering better results for patients while reducing pressure on the NHS.
The four successful networks are:
- University of Sheffield: Developing technologies to help dementia patients communicate as their disease progresses, supporting speech and memory challenges.
- Heriot-Watt University: Creating technology to anticipate and slow the progression of dementia symptoms.
- Northumbria University: Establishing local hubs in rural and remote areas where dementia patients can access technology to assist with everyday tasks.
- Imperial College London: Developing user-friendly tools to support independent living and using AI for data analytics.
Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said:
“Dementia is a cruel and heartbreaking disease, not only for those living with it, but for the families and friends who often watch their loved one become a shadow of the person they once were.
“Backing these groundbreaking technologies won’t just help people with dementia - it’ll transform their lives, giving people the freedom to stay in their own homes, around the people they love.
“Moving care out of hospitals and into communities isn’t just smart healthcare - it’s about giving people independence. Britain will be at the forefront of dementia innovation, backing cutting-edge research and rolling out life-changing technologies that deliver real results for patients and families. This is exactly the bold thinking we need at the heart of our Plan for Change.”
The networks will collaborate with key partners, including NHS, Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and local authorities, to ensure expertise at all levels is consulted and to develop the best outcomes.
The projects are backed by £6.7 million in funding from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society. The Minister of State for Health will unveil the funding at the World Dementia Council Summit on Tuesday, 25th March.
According to an Alzheimer’s Society survey, 85% of people prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible if diagnosed with dementia. These projects aim to slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life for dementia patients, helping them stay out of hospital and in the community where they are most comfortable.
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