Government-backed dementia research to collaborate with the NHS and ageing charities
People with dementia are set to benefit from government-backed research designed to help them live more independently in their own homes.
Four new research networks led by the UK’s top researchers, developers, and health and social care professionals will focus on creating technologies to help dementia patients manage memory loss, communication difficulties and cope better with everyday tasks, in the hope of slowing the progress of the disease and maximising the time they can spend safely and happily at home.
The teams will work alongside people living with dementia and carers to ensure lived experience and changing needs are at the heart of innovation, delivering the government’s Plan for Change to shift healthcare from hospitals into the community, with better results for patients while also reducing pressure on the NHS.
The four successful networks include the University of Sheffield, to develop technologies to help dementia patients communicate as their disease progresses, supporting speech and memory challenges, and Heriot-Watt University, to develop technology to anticipate, and where possible slow, progression of dementia patients’ symptoms.
Northumbria University will develop local hubs in rural and remote areas, where dementia patients can access technology to help them with everyday tasks, and the Imperial College London will develop easily used tools to support independent living and using artificial intelligence (AI) to support data analytics.
The networks will also collaborate with a range of key partners including the NHS, Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and local authorities and councils, to deliver the projects, ensuring expertise at all levels is consulted on and helping to develop the best outcome.
The projects are being backed by government, with the Minister of State for Health unveiling £6.7 million in funding later at the World Dementia Council Summit on 25 March 2025.
The networks are funded by £6.7 million from the UK Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.
Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said: “Dementia is a cruel and heartbreaking disease, not only for those living with it, but for the families and friends who often watch their loved one become a shadow of the person they once were.
“Backing these ground-breaking technologies won’t just help people with dementia – it’ll transform their lives, giving people the freedom to stay in their own homes, around the people they love.
“Moving care out of hospitals and into communities isn’t just smart healthcare – it’s about giving people independence. Britain will be at the forefront of dementia innovation, backing cutting-edge research and rolling out life-changing technologies that deliver real results for patients and families. This is exactly the bold thinking we need at the heart of our Plan for Change.”
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Dementia is one of the biggest challenges to health and social care of our time. These 4 networks will take on that challenge, harnessing technology to improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.
“Helping people with dementia to live more independently will allow us to move their care from hospitals to communities, reducing strain on the NHS and supporting the plans for health that are key to our Plan for Change.
According to an Alzheimer’s Society survey, 85 per cent of people have said they would prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible if diagnosed with dementia, but many are currently unable to do so.
It is hoped these projects will help slow the progression of the disease and provide a better quality of life for people living with dementia, to help people out of hospital and back into the community, where they’re most comfortable.
Challenge Works recently joined forces with expert researchers from the London School of Economics to help evaluate the five finalist technologies in the Longitude Prize on Dementia that could revolutionise life for people with dementia.
