All through Dementia Action week run by Alzheimer’s Society, researchers from across England will be sharing how their work has been improving the lives of people with dementia and their families and carers.

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.

Twenty events are being held across England to promote better health and care for people with dementia and to showcase the research going on in those regions.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) alongside Alzheimer’s Society, 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 and work within Applied Research Collaborations (NIHR ARCs) at 15 locations in England.

Professor Ruth Bartlett leads the 60 DEMCOMM researchers: “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.

“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.”

Dr Megan Polden and Dr Megan Rose Readman DEMCOMM Researchers based at the University of Liverpool, alongside colleagues from Manchester, King’s College London, and Lancaster, are developing a virtual reality (VR) learning platform to support people with dementia in supermarket settings. Co-designed with people living with dementia, carers, and supermarket staff, the platform aims to reflect real-world shopping challenges and equip staff with the skills to create more dementia-friendly environments.

Through an interactive, solution-based experience, the tool allows users to see the world from the perspective of someone with dementia, raising awareness and promoting inclusive practices. The platform will be piloted in schools and supermarkets across the UK, with the goal of fostering greater understanding and independence for people with dementia.

To learn more about this pioneering project, listen to the BBC Radio Merseyside interview here and starts at 2:24. Link: Kevin Duala – 25/03/2025 – BBC Sounds

Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society said: “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.”

If you would like to know more about DEMFEST research and the events taking place during Dementia Action week which runs from 19-25 May – they are all listed on this website. hhttps://www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/demfest25