National Dementia Audit: Important improvements in dementia care, but more support needed report finds

During 2016/17, Health and Care Research Wales, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Chief Scientist Office in Scotland and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland have been working with public contributors as the ‘Public Involvement Standards Development Partnership’. 

Advancing Care provides an overview of recent NIHR research on improving the health and care of care home residents. It highlights current research taking place now and explores new approaches being developed in this important area.

“Over-the-counter magnesium tablets significantly improve depression in just two weeks, new research reveals,” the Mail Online reports. A small study found that people taking the supplements – on top of their existing treatment – reported an improvement in depression symptoms.

Managing Agitation and Raising QUality of lifE in dementia (MARQUE) is a research study led by Professor Gill Livingston at University College London, with support from colleagues from across the UK, the study aims to increase knowledge about dementia, agitation and personhood.

There are several streams to the MARQUE project, which you can find out about by clicking here.

New survey being conducted by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) hope to find out whether talking therapies are available in UK care homes and how the mental health needs of care homes residents are being identified.

The number of people over the age of 65 who will need care could rise by 25 per cent to 2.8m by 2025 in England and Wales, resulting in more people with disabilities such as dementia.

The majority of people would be willing to offer practical help to friends or neighbours dealing with death, dying and bereavement.

This is the findings of new Dying Matters research from the National Council of Palliative Care (NCPC).

Staff at a London trust are being encouraged to talk more openly about death and bereavement to improve support for both patients nearing the end of their lives and those involved in their care.