Pioneering Research into Dementia
Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire are leading two of the twenty-one new Government-funded projects into dementia research - to boost dementia diagnosis rates and trial ground-breaking treatments, as well as helping people with dementia live well with the condition today.
The two projects, led by the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre for Research into Primary and Community Care, have received funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and are part of the Government’s £22 million investment into dementia research.
Over 670,000 people in England have some form of dementia – and this is set to double in the next thirty years, creating one of the biggest challenges for healthcare and support services.
The University-led research projects will focus on two specific areas: how to improve the healthcare for people with dementia who also have additional medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes or visual impairment; and, secondly, how to best manage the behavioural and psychological symptoms of people living at home with dementia, symptoms such as becoming aggressive or agitated, wandering, becoming upset or distressed.
Dr Frances Bunn, University of Hertfordshire, said: “Many people with dementia have additional long-term health problems which, if not managed well, can make a person’s dementia worse or lead to unplanned hospital admissions. We will be looking at how this affects how people access services, how their needs are assessed and how they are supported over time.”
Dr Daksha Trivedi, University of Hertfordshire, said: “The behavioural symptoms often experienced by people with dementia can put them at risk, affect their quality of life and also be very stressful for those providing care and support – sometimes becoming so difficult to cope with that people have to move into care homes.
“It is still unclear as to the best way to reduce the symptoms of dementia among people living in their own homes. We need to know what can help reduce a person’s distress and so help them and their family carers to maintain a quality of life that makes living at home desirable. We will review evidence for non drug-based treatment and care by involving people with dementia, their families and care workers in this review process. We will test our findings with this group to ensure that our recommendations reflect their priorities and experiences.”
The two studies are led by Dr Frances Bunn and Dr Daksha Trivedi respectively. Dr Bunn’s study is funded by the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme and is in collaboration with University of Cambridge, Newcastle University, University College London, and Luton & Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Trivedi’s study is funded by the NIHR’s Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme in collaboration with Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, University of Surrey, University College London and King’s College London.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Julie Cooper, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 284095, Email: j.cooper5@herts.ac.uk
Notes to Editor
About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,300 staff and a turnover of almost £231 million.
With a student community of over 27,700 including more than 2,900 international students from over eighty-five different countries, the University has a global network of over 170,000 alumni.
The University of Hertfordshire was awarded ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2010’ by the Times Higher Education (THE) and ranks in the top 4% of all universities in the world according to the recent THE, World University Rankings.
For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk
Did you know….? 350 qualified nurses graduate from the University of Hertfordshire each year – we are caring Find out more at go.herts.ac.uk/didyouknow
About the National Institute for Health Research
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government’s strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk ).
About the National Institute for Health Research Research for Patient Benefit Programme
The RfPB Programme funds high quality NHS research. The projects funded are regionally derived applied research in health services and social care. The programme’s strong regional element is unique within NIHR’s research programmes. The members of the regional committees that assess the applications are drawn from local academic institutions and health organisations. Members of the public and service users from within the region are also appointed to the regional committees. The programme funds a broad range of topics and research methodologies that increase the effectiveness of NHS services, provide value for money and benefit patients. The programme also supports relevant pilot and feasibility studies to help reach the next step of a definitive trial. www.rfpb.nihr.ac.uk
About the National Institute of Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme
The National Institute of Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research (NIHR HS&DR) programme was established to fund a broad range of research. It builds on the strengths and contributions of two NIHR research programmes: the Health Services Research (HSR) programme and the Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) programme, which merged in January 2012. The programme aims to produce rigorous and relevant evidence on the quality, access and organisation of health services, including costs and outcomes. The programme will enhance the strategic focus on research that matters to the NHS. The HS&DR Programme is funded by the NIHR with specific contributions from the CSO in Scotland, NISCHR in Wales and the HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.www.netscc.ac.uk/hsdr/
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