September is World Alzheimer’s Month and this time each year, people from around the world come together to raise awareness about dementia. September 2021 marks the tenth year of this important global awareness campaign.
Rates of dementia are increasing; every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia. There are currently 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia, this is set to rise to 1 million by 2025 and to 2 million by 2050
Join Dementia Research is a nationwide service that helps anyone in the UK find and take part in vital dementia research studies. It forms part of the Government’s Dementia Strategy. A key objective is to increase the number of people with dementia and their carers participating in research, but anyone aged 18+ with or without a memory problem can register via www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk
Talking to patients about research promotes high-quality care and helps to meet NICE and NHS England recommendations. Furthermore, for people with dementia, taking part in research often helps them to gain a better understanding of their condition and creates a feeling of empowerment. Many find it a very positive experience and feel they are making a worthwhile contribution to future dementia care and treatment.
