‘Help support dementia study’
VOLUNTEERS FOR RESEARCH SOUGHT
PEOPLE are being urged to use Dementia Action Week to put themselves forward to support urgent research into the condition.
Following the public enthusiasm shown for research during the Covid-19 pandemic, people are being asked to sign up to the Join Dementia Research service, which connects volunteers to research trials that are helping experts to understand more about the disease.
According to data from the Alzhei- Research has already increased mer’s Society, there are about understanding of the disease, but for 850,000 people living with dementia continued progress more people in in the UK. This is projected to reach Leicestershire are needed to take 1.6 million by 2040. part in studies. Join Dementia
Research (JDR) is a partnership between the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Alzheimer’s Scotland, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s
Society. The service allows people to register their interest in dementia research and matches them to suitable studies. It matches people aged 18 and over, with or without dementia, with researchers who are seeking participants for their studies.
Since it was launched in 2014, more than 930 people in Leicestershire have used the Join Dementia Research service to register to support research.
Professor Tom Dening, NIHR CRN specialty lead for dementia and neurodegeneration, said: “The past year has demonstrated the power of research.
“It is only through research that we can understand what causes the disease, develop effective treatments, improve care and hopefully one day find a cure.
“More than 25 million people in the UK have a friend or family member with dementia and research is vital so we can understand more about the condition.
“This Dementia Action Week, we are asking people in Leicestershire to help us by registering to take part in research.
“This will help people living with dementia now, and improve diagnosis, treatment and care for people with dementia.
“Research is at the very heart of how we deal with dementia and we hope that even more people will be inspired to be part of research this year.”
JDR is supported by NHS Trusts and GP practices across the region. Anyone aged over 18 can sign up to take part in research, whether they have dementia or not.