Dementia includes more than 100 progressive conditions affecting memory, rationality, social skills and much more. Our dementia research aims to increase knowledge about dementia prevention, develop new treatments for dementia and improve day-to-day care for people living dementia.
Ed Donovan is living with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, consisting of about 70% of all cases. There is no cure for dementia, which is why investment in dementia research is critical to help people living with this devastating disease.
The Hospital Research Foundation Group is committed to funding the latest dementia research in Australia. From research into the possibility of a cure for dementia, to innovations in how we can better care for patient needs, we are one of the leaders in dementia research.
We are getting closer and closer to a dementia cure breakthrough, but currently, there is no cure for dementia. Research into new treatments continues to lead to new developments. You can stay informed on the latest dementia news by subscribing to Fight News, our weekly e-newsletter, today.
Donating to dementia research is a critical step towards achieving breakthroughs. Your contributions support the latest dementia research in Australia. Simply visit this link to make your secure donation. Each gift brings us closer to understanding and potentially curing this condition. Donate to dementia research today, and join us in this vital mission.
Greta (centre) was diagnosed with childhood dementia at just three years old
Absolutely, new research on dementia is ongoing and The Hospital Research Foundation Group is leading the way in current research on dementia in Australia. Our contributions are making a substantial difference in preventing, understanding and combating dementia.
Some examples of the work we are doing include:
The Hospital Research Foundation Group funds a range of different studies, research projects and initiatives designed to help reduce dementia risk and one day find a cure for dementia. Here are just a few:
Improving the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is the end goal of groundbreaking new research about to get underway, using biomarkers to identify Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier interval when treatments can be most effective.
Dr Christopher Belder has been awarded The Hospital Research Foundation Group’s Dementia Fellowship to carry out the work through the CALHN Memory Service and Memory Trials Unit at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Ground-breaking new research supported by The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group in Australia is examining the relationship between lifestyle factors like diet, physical activity, and sleep, and their influence on the risk of dementia.
With THRF Group’s support, Dr Ashleigh Smith is working on a tool to assist older adults in reducing dementia risk, focusing on the latest dementia research’s holistic approach. Associate Professor Kate Laver aims to empower newly diagnosed dementia patients, reflecting current research into dementia in Australia, enhancing management and prevention.
A new dementia screening clinic in South Australia, supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group, offers a cognitive screening test for dementia that can detect the risk of Alzheimer’s 15-20 years before symptoms appear.
The clinic provides access to the latest trials for dementia, early interventions if identified at risk, and employs state-of-the-art screening processes, including MRI and PET scans, to identify individuals for early treatment trials. More than 100 people have begun screening, showcasing South Australia’s commitment to leveraging cognitive screening tests for dementia to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this degenerative condition.
A new program called ‘Take Charge’ is being trialled at Flinders Medical Centre to improve the experience of receiving a dementia diagnosis, focusing on what patients can still achieve and maintain rather than what they can’t.
Led by Associate Professor Kate Laver, the program has enrolled 120 participants with mild dementia and emphasizes individual goals and strategies to enhance their quality of life, such as maintaining social activities. The Hospital Research Foundation Group supports this promising initiative that gives hope in the face of a dementia diagnosis, aiming to provide positive and proactive care for those newly diagnosed with dementia.
Enhancing care for individuals with dementia within Australian healthcare facilities is essential, and The Hospital Research Foundation Group (THRF Group) is playing a vital role in funding these efforts.
Their support is aimed at lessening patient distress and managing challenging behaviours through upgrading facilities like therapy gyms and Occupational Therapy kitchens, part of the current research on dementia in Australia. Furthermore, THRF Group’s investment helps in elevating the skills of clinical staff in older people’s mental health, reflecting the latest dementia research and providing patient-centred care.
The Whittaker Ward at Noarlunga Hospital is receiving a major upgrade to provide specialist rehabilitation services to people aged over 65, including patients with dementia or cognitive impairment.
The $980,000 redevelopment by SALHN and The Hospital Research Foundation Group includes a therapy gym, activity room, and Occupational Therapy kitchen. A landscaped courtyard will support patients in daily tasks and community living. The upgrade enhances the experience for staff and patients, promoting mobility and social interactions, vital for those with cognitive challenges.
Dr Rajiv Mahajan at Lyell McEwin Hospital is leading the way in current research on dementia in Australia, focusing on the link between Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and a 40% increase in dementia risk.
This latest dementia research aims to understand how subclinical AF contributes to dementia, possibly leading to changes in screening guidelines and reducing the dementia burden. With ongoing support from The Hospital Research Foundation Group and the broader dementia research community, this project represents a significant step in understanding what is the latest research on dementia and contributes to the overall efforts of the dementia research center.
The Royal Adelaide Hospital’s Clinical Trials Centre is conducting a trial on a treatment called Sailuotong for vascular dementia, a type of dementia affecting 15-20% of all dementia sufferers.
The treatment, made up of three Chinese herbs, is believed to reduce inflammation in the brain, offering hope in an area where conventional treatments have been lacking. This trial represents a significant step in current research into dementia in Australia, particularly focusing on vascular dementia, and could provide valuable insights into alternative treatments for dementia patients and their families.
You can stay informed on our efforts by choosing to subscribe to Fight News, our weekly newsletter.
