Category: Age Concern

Listening to Lived Experiences of Dementia

A new report from the Alzheimer’s Society has captured the voices of people affected by dementia across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Lived Experiences of Dementia 2025 survey highlights the reality of life with dementia today, from the challenges of getting a timely diagnosis to the emotional and practical toll on families. The findings reveal a system under pressure where too many people still struggle to access the care and understanding they deserve.

By listening to lived experience, the report calls for greater awareness, stronger community support and more compassionate, joined up services.

You can read the full report here: Survey report: Lived experiences of dementia 2025 | Alzheimer’s Society

Dementia Bulletin

The latest dementia bulletin from Mersey Care Evidence and Library Service has now been published.

In this issue:

  • Evaluating care pathways in Alzheimer’s disease: a qualitative interview study with GPs in England
  • Dementia-related volumetric assessments in neuroradiology reports: a natural language processing-based study
  • The State of Health and Care of Older People in England 2025
  • New Board Game Helps Children Understand Dementia
  • Young Onset Dementia Group, Liverpool

If you are unable to access any of the included items please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

dem30sep25Download

Dementia Bulletin

The latest dementia bulletin from Mersey Care Evidence and Library Service has now been published at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/dementia/2025/09/3-september-2025/

In this issue:

  • Effects of a person-centered music-based intervention in the rehabilitation of older adults with mild to moderate dementia
  • The iADRS as an integrated measure of cognition and function: Psychometric evidence from recent clinical trials in early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease
  • Co‐pathology in Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body disease and its association with neuropsychiatric symptoms
  • Alzheimer’s Society launches bold new brand advertising campaign, ‘A Personal Appeal’
  • UK trial launches to transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis with simple blood test

If you are unable to access any of the included items please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Dementia Bulletin

The latest dementia bulletin from Mersey Care Evidence and Library Service has now been published at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/dementia/2025/09/3-september-2025/

In this issue:

  • NHS supporting record numbers of people living with dementia
  • How AI is accelerating the race to understand dementia
  • Self-Reported Hearing Aid Use and Risk of Incident Dementia
  • World Alzheimer’s Report 2025 launch

If you are unable to access any of the included items please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

dem3sep25Download

Record number of dementia diagnoses on NHS

A recent NHS milestone shows 506,549 people in the UK have received a dementia diagnosis, up from 490,163 a year ago—reflecting improved awareness and access to testing under the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has also launched MinderCare, an at-home monitoring service using discreet sensors on beds, appliances, and doorways. It helps clinical teams monitor routines, medication responses, and early signs of decline—supporting safer, more responsive care at home.

In the past year, the NHS delivered 330,460 care plans or reviews and 114,447 medication reviews, reinforcing a stronger support system for those with dementia.

Read more here: Record number of dementia diagnoses on NHS | UK Healthcare News

Creative Arts for Dementia – Insights from NIHR ARCs Webinar

A recent NIHR ARCs webinar on 9 July 2025 highlighted the impact of creative arts on dementia care. Over three concise 10-minute talks, researchers covered music therapy, singing and dancing interventions, and how creative arts can involve people living with dementia in research. The event was chaired by Dr Stephen Lim (ARC Wessex) and featured Dr Ming-Hung Hsu (East of England), Dr Megan Polden (North West Coast), and Prof Linda Clare (South West Peninsula)

Read more: NIHR ARCs national webinar (#ARCseminar): Creative arts for dementia | NIHR ARC Wessex

Cochrane Review: Music-Based Interventions for Dementia Show Modest Benefits

A recent Cochrane review evaluated the effects of music-based therapeutic interventions on individuals with dementia. Analysing data from 30 studies involving 1,720 participants, the review found that, compared to usual care, music-based interventions probably lead to slight improvements in depressive symptoms and may reduce overall behavioural problems. However, evidence regarding benefits for agitation, emotional well-being, cognition, and long-term effects remains limited or uncertain.

These findings suggest that while music therapy can offer some benefits for people with dementia, further high-quality research is needed to fully understand its impact.

Read the full review: Cochrane Library – Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions for People with Dementia

NHE: Report Highlights Deepening Mental Health Crisis

A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a significant decline in mental health across England and Wales since the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, over half of the 900,000 increase in disability benefit claims among working-age adults is due to mental health issues. Additionally, ‘deaths of despair’—including those from alcohol, drugs, and suicide—have risen by 24%, resulting in approximately 3,700 additional deaths in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The report also highlights a 36% increase in individuals accessing NHS mental health services since 2019, with antidepressant prescriptions up by 12%.

Read the full article: National Health Executive

New Books for Our Teenage Collection!

Looking for something fresh to read? We’ve just added some fantastic new books to our Teenage Collection! Whether you need advice on mental health, body image, social media, or identity, these books have got you covered. From Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys to Social Anxiety Relief for Teens, there’s something for everyone.

Come check them out at the library!

Children’s Mental Health Week 2025

This Children’s Mental Health Week (3–9 Feb), this week encourages young people to express themselves and be heard. Libraries offer safe spaces and books that support mental wellbeing, helping children feel understood and empowered.

Let’s help them find their voices and make a difference!