Dementia

Elf and fitness boost through cycle challenge training

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 12/28/2017 - 12:53pm

Two researchers from the University of Exeter put elf before beauty to prepare to cycle 350 miles from London to Paris for the charity Alzheimer’s Society.

Drs Mark Tarrant and David Llewellyn launched their fundraising bid in full festive style, as they burned off the mince pies through starting their training for the epic cycle challenge.

Dr Llewellyn knows how tough preparation can be. He had planned to join a team of six dementia researchers on the ride last summer – but had to withdraw after breaking his wrist when he fell off his bike during training.

Dr...

Show consideration and compassion to those with dementia this Christmas

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 12/16/2017 - 8:57pm

Christmas can be overwhelming for many of us, with the hectic period of shopping, cooking and family gatherings putting a strain on relationships. But when someone in your family has dementia, it brings different challenges that are very easy to overlook writes Gina Awad .

Understanding dementia is crucial for the person living with it, but very often families and care partners learn by default. As a Dementia Campaigner, I would like to share some insights to help you and your family enjoy the festive season.

I work closely with people with dementia and their families, some...

£190,000 boost for dementia research in Exeter

The dementia research charity BRACE and Kirby Laing Foundation have together awarded more than £190,000 to the University of Exeter Medical School to support cutting-edge genomic research to better understand the causes of dementia

Kirby Laing has provided £90,000 of funding to support a three-year PhD post in the Complex Disease Epigenetics Group within the Medical School’s world-leading research team that investigates how the way genes are activated influences disease.

Previously, the team has been involved in identifying a number of regions of the genome that are altered...

Tales and imagery of life with dementia captured on Exeter allotment

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 10/31/2017 - 10:21am

People whose lives have been affected by dementia have worked with well-known professional artists to create insightful images and poems that capture some of their experiences, to form a new book.

The project involved people with dementia and their partners who are part of Age UK Exeter’s Budding Friends project and who spend time together on the charity’s allotment or at a local art studio. The members of Budding Friends were involved in creative workshops with photographer Ian Beesley, cartoonist Tony Husband and poet Ian McMillan. Together, they created “The Allotment of Time”,...

New initiative will help keep people with dementia safe

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 10/26/2017 - 4:33pm

Carers and families of people living across Devon and Cornwall with dementia are being urged to participate in a new initiative which is being launched by Devon and Cornwall police in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Dementia Alliance.

The Herbert Protocol is aimed at finding those who go missing quickly and safely.The Protocol encourages families, carers, friends or neighbours to hold information about the person with Dementia that can help the emergency services find them if they go missing.

By using an easily accessible form, carers can provide vital...

Public invited to interactive talk on dementia in Exeter

Members of the public are being invited to an interactive talk on, to hear more about the personal experiences of those living with dementia, and the portrayal of the condition in the media.

The event is part the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) annual Festival of Social Science taking place next month. It is part of the Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) Project at the University of Exeter:

Dr Nelis said: “Over 850,000 people have a diagnosis of dementia in the UK, our work focuses on how people can ‘live well’ with dementia...

£500,000 for dementia brain research at Exeter

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 09/21/2017 - 10:06am

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) has announced more than £500,000 in funding for researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School to advance understanding of how dementia affects the brain.

Announced on World Alzheimer’s Day (Thursday September 21), the charity is investing a total of £577,000 in three leading researchers, to look at different aspects of the cause and progression of dementia.

Professor Clive Ballard, Executive Dean of the University of Exeter Medical School, and a leading dementia researcher, said: “Dementia is key area of our research focus at Exeter,...

Seize the day! Sign up for Exeter Memory Walk

Thousands of people are being called on to unite against dementia by signing up for Alzheimer’s Society’s Exeter Memory Walk.

61-year-old Andrea Rodgers from Torquay, whose mum has dementia, is urging people to register for the event to help the charity raise money for research and services.

Andrea’s mum, Jean, was diagnosed with dementia five years ago. The family has been through ups and downs, and has recently had a stressful time trying to arrange alternative accommodation for their mum following the closure of her care home.

Having settled their mum into her...

The power of passion

Since winning my national 2016 Dementia Friendly award I have continued with the same drive and passion in raising awareness and inspiring action across the city of Exeter.

As a Dementia Friends Champion and Lead of the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance the transformation in perceptions is beginning to take shape. As we know change is tough but being open is a key starting point. Exeter as a busy, vibrant community has embraced the vision in working towards a dementia friendly city with open arms.

I am certainly not super woman and at times have genuinely struggled, juggling...

Dementia researchers raise thousands for charity in epic bike challenge

Five dementia researchers at the University of Exeter have pedalled over an epic 350 miles from London to Paris, raising thousands of pounds for Alzheimer’s Society in a gruelling four day challenge.

The team has raised more than £11,000 towards their £12,000 target to boost the Society’s ground-breaking dementia research, and they still hope to achieve their goal. To donate, visit their Justgiving page.

Throughout the journey the group battled fickle weather conditions, from glorious sunshine, torrential rain and driving wind. All five cyclists endured physical struggles,...

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