Dementia research

Empowering lives, enriching communities

Laughing senior friends sitting together on a park bench

The University of Plymouth is at the forefront of advancing dementia research, with a focus on improving the support and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers. We are a collaborative group of researchers and clinicians aiming to address the local and global challenges faced by those affected by dementia. Key research themes include:

Meeting local needs
Inclusive methods
Global health disparities
Stigma, awareness and dementia inclusive communities.

This research is supported by the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit (PenCTU) and the NIHR ARC South West Peninsula (PenARC).

Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre for Integrated Dementia Care

The mission of the Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre for Integrated Dementia Care (I-Care DTC) is to revolutionise dementia care by training the next generation of dementia researchers in a truly integrated approach that combines primary care, secondary care, and health and social services.

Find out more about the I-Care DTC and apply for a studentship

Current projects

One paper figure stands excluded from a circle of other paper figures

STRiDE-Stigma

Abstract African landscape with rivers and plains from above

Dementia anti-stigma intervention in rural Kenya (DASI-K)

DEM-SKY

Small gestures of kindness go a long way - closeup shot of two unidentifiable people holding hands in comfort. Credit: PeopleImages.

D-PACT: Dementia – Person Aligned Care Team

Community care worker joins an an elderly woman for a cup of tea while sitting at her kitchen table.

RadioMe

Health care practitioner working with an elderly patient with dementia

STRiDE

Countryside town in the sunshine. Credit: Dr Nicolas Farina

Enhancing post-diagnostic support in UK rural areas

Shadows of two people in a field overlooking Plymouth

"Nature is not a place to visit, it is home": The value of nature on the quality of life of people with dementia

Networks and groups

SPIN Dementia Network Plus

RAID-ER special interest group

Completed projects

Getty. Brixham. Fishing community, maritime, marine, devon

Dementia in the maritime community

Challenges, Solutions and Innovation in Dementia

One in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia. In England in 2012, 670,000 people have dementia. This number will double in the next 30 years. Our research focuses on community attitudes and behaviour change towards individuals with dementia and their carers, inequalities and differences between urban and rural dementia-friendly communities, and the impact of interventions on the wellbeing of individuals with dementia and their carers.

Find out how the University of Plymouth is addressing real-world challenges in dementia.

Cornwall Dementia Advisory Group

Ensuring that the voice of the person with dementia and carer is heard during the research process is essential, improving the overall quality and responsiveness of research. We also recognise that the experiences of people living in the South West are unique to those living elsewhere in the UK. As such, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust with the support of the University of Plymouth have been developing and evaluating an advisory group that is responsive to the needs of people living with dementia in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

How to get involved in dementia research?

As we work with local NHS trusts across many of our research, it often means that by speaking to a member of your healthcare team you will be signposted to the latest research in the region.

We also recommend that you register with ‘Join dementia research’, which is an NHS funded, nationwide online and telephone service that makes it easier for people to register their interest in volunteering for dementia research. Anyone, with or without dementia, can register as a volunteer or sign-up for someone else.