The DEM-COMM programme, funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society, has been granted an extra £6 million to extend its duration by 18 months and provide internship opportunities. This initiative supports new leaders in dementia research by bringing together diverse researchers for community-focused projects addressing critical gaps in evidence.
ARC-GM Fellows, alongside those from universities of Liverpool, Oxford, Southampton, and King’s College London, have secured £266K in seed funding for cross-ARC projects tackling dementia challenges. Projects include developing a virtual reality platform to promote dementia awareness among youth and using artificial intelligence to optimise medication for dementia patients.
The fellows are working with Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board and Dementia United to establish DRAGON, a public involvement network promoting awareness of dementia research in Greater Manchester.
Its goals include fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing community needs, and encouraging public participation in research advocacy.
Contact Information
Gill Rizzello
Healthy Ageing Programme Manager
DEM-COMM Fellows
Jaheeda Gangannagaripalli - Keep On Keep Up (KOKU) Digital technologies for falls preventions for people with dementia: The digital exercise programme is being modified for people with dementia. This fellowship will build on this to develop an intervention modification and feasibility RCT. Read more
Sarah Fox - Everyday aesthetics and the intersection of arts and health: Everyday aesthetics and the intersection of arts and health: Involves the use of a participatory approach to develop, deliver and evaluate a tailored, multi-arts social intervention with people with dementia living at home. Read more
Emma Elliott - Deconditioning in hospitalised patients with dementia This research involves:
- A systematic review to examine evidence of physical activity interventions for hospitalised patients with dementia. The protocol is registered on PROSPERO here.
- A quantitative study to understand the impact that increased ward moves/changes have on people with dementia.
- A qualitative study, involving interviews with a) patients with dementia, b) their caregivers, and c) healthcare professionals, to understand their experiences of hospitalisation and deconditioning.
Sarah Smith - Assessing the effects of physical activity interventions on the maintenance of cognitive function in midlife to reduce the risk of cognitive decline
The results of this systematic review will be explored with Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) representatives and relevant stakeholders. Assessment of the need for a feasibility study will then follow. The protocol can be found on PROSPERO here.
DEM-COMM Fellow, Dr Sarah Smith explains how her research hopes to find ways of preventing dementia.
DEM-COMM Fellow Dr Emma Elliot from the University of Manchester talks about her dementia research.