Category: In the news
Tuesday, April 20th, 2021
Enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a mandated human right.[1] However, the daily confinement of people living with dementia in care homes may challenge this mandate. A team of researchers from NSW Australia, including the well-known dementia advocate, Kate Swaffer, explored this concept further[2]. They ran interviews and focus […]
Wednesday, March 24th, 2021
Researchers from the University of Leeds investigated the association between meat consumption and risk of dementia using the Biobank cohort [1]. Almost 500,000 UK adults participated in the study, which found that consuming a 25g of processed meat (bacon, ham, sausages, etc.) a day was associated with a 44% increased risk of developing dementia. However, […]
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020
In the everyday busyness of life it is easy to forget things, and when we do it is typically harmless. However, a study published last month found that forgetting to pay your bills, specifically credit card bills, could be an early warning sign for declining cognition[1]. Finance and Health Data Linkage The American-based researchers retrospectively […]
Friday, November 6th, 2020
Clinical trials are research studies that test ways to improve healthcare. These studies help find better ways to treat or prevent disease. Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) has also produced information sheets outlining the clinical trials process in 10 community languages. Please visit this link to see the resources in multi-languages.
Monday, October 19th, 2020
Currently, Alzheimer’s diagnoses are made mostly with clinical assessments of the person’s cognitive, physical, mental, and functional health, often assisted by interviews with family members and caregivers. Sometimes the diagnoses may be uncertain due to confusions around distinguishing Alzheimer’s from other dementias and physical conditions that involve cognitive impairment. The more accurate diagnostic tests involving […]
Tuesday, October 6th, 2020
No two people experience dementia in the same way. The expression of dementia depends on the cause of the condition and the parts of the brain that are affected. Hence, it is important to take a personalised approach to dementia care that focuses on the unique needs of the individual. Rural dementia care below par […]
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020
The world has changed since coronavirus became known in late 2019. The way we work, shop, travel and gather has had a huge overhaul. People experiencing dementia have not escaped this change. COVID-19 has implications for people with dementia, both directly in terms of increased vulnerability, and indirectly through effects on social supports and the […]
Monday, May 25th, 2020
How well we “bounce back”, or adapt to adversity, is taken as a sign of resilience, and a significant protective factor for our mental health when encountering life challenges. Currently, 91% of people with dementia living in our community rely on an informal or unpaid carer to support them[1]. Caring for someone with dementia can […]
Tuesday, April 21st, 2020
Cardiovascular issues are a key risk factor for dementia. Because aspirin can be beneficial for those who have had heart attack, some studies have suggested that it may also be beneficial to the brain. Scientists have hypothesised that aspirin may reduce the risk of dementia by lowering inflammation, minimising blood clots forming, or by preventing […]
Thursday, April 16th, 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, tough calls are being made to protect our most vulnerable from COVID-19. For many people over the age of 70 years old, this means strong recommendations to self- isolate at home for as long as practicable. These measures are essential to prevent the spread of the virus and more deaths, […]
