December 17, 2018
A study released in December, 2017 from the the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort, which is part-funded by Alzheimer’s Society, has found that psychological health has the biggest impact on people affected by dementia feeling able to “live well” with the condition.
Dr James Pickett, head of research at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “People with dementia have the right to live well – however without clear definition it can be hard to determine what ‘living well’ really means. After looking at several factors, the IDEAL programme has found that psychological health has the biggest impact on people affected by dementia living well.
“Too many people face dementia alone without adequate support, and interventions that improve self-esteem, challenge negative perceptions towards ageing and reduce depression or loneliness could all help improve the psychological health of people affected.
“Research will beat dementia and while we strive to find a cure, we also need to improve life for the 850,000 people with dementia in the UK today. Alzheimer’s Society is proud to be supporting this study and looking further into these interventions - as well funding over £12m of other research to improve dementia care.”