Dementia Jersey welcomes contract extension
A project offering support and activities for people with new cases or mild dementia is set to continue in Jersey.Dementia Jersey's Meeting Place Project has been granted a renewed three-year contract with Health and Care Jersey.Launched in 2021 with government funding, the project offers weekly sessions in St Clement and St Helier, providing support, brain-stimulating activities, and light exercise for those diagnosed with the condition.Ann-Marie Self, diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2023, said the scheme was "great because I don't feel like I'm alone with my diagnosis - everyone is different but we all have this in common".
'Incredibly grateful'
The project, which also runs in St Martin, St Brelade, and St Ouen, has been praised by participants and their families. Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Tom Binet, said Meeting Place "provides invaluable support for islanders as they navigate their diagnosis".Claudine Snape, Dementia Jersey chief executive, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Health and Care Jersey and the Government of Jersey for their continued support. "This renewed funding ensures that people living with dementia can access the help they need in a supportive and stimulating environment."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
6 things you need to know about Alzheimer's – as drug trials bring new hope
Led by an expert from the University of Nevada in the US and published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions, the review reveals that 182 clinical trials are underway in 2025, a rise of 11% from the previous year, assessing the impact 138 potential drugs. Notably, one-third of these drugs are repurposed medications originally developed for other conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and high cholesterol. A post shared by Alzheimer's Research UK (@alzheimersresearchuk) 1. Alzheimer's and dementia are not the same thing 'A lot of people get confused between Alzheimer's and dementia and aren't really sure what the difference is,' recognises Taylor. 'The way I describe it is that dementia is the group of symptoms – so things like memory loss, confusion, personality and behavioural changes – and Alzheimer's is one of the causes of those symptoms.' Research generally associates Alzheimer's disease with the accumulation of two proteins, amyloid and tau, says Taylor. 'These toxic proteins damage our brain cells, which are what is used to communicate messages throughout our body,' she explains. 'Overtime, as more brain cells die, it becomes harder for our brain overall to carry out its normal functions. So, depending on where in the brain the damage starts, that indicates what kind of symptoms someone will experience. 'That's why in Alzheimer's early symptoms are often memory loss and confusion because Alzheimer's tends to, but doesn't always, start in the memory centres of the brain.' 2. There are 14 potential risk factors 'A lot of the risk factors for dementia are linked to our heart health,' says Taylor. 'So, we know that what's good for your heart is good for your brain as well. 'Things like having a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, not smoking, keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control etc is really important to improve or maintain our brain health and reduce our risk of dementia. 'These risk factors, there are 14 in total, have been linked to 45% of dementia cases worldwide. So, if those risk factors were completely eliminated, then up to 45% would be prevented or delayed.'3. It isn't an inevitable part of ageing 'A lot of people think it's an inevitable part of ageing, but it's definitely not – we can do things to reduce our risk of dementia,' says Taylor. While Alzheimer's disease is more common in older adults, it can also affect younger people. 'People as young as 30 have developed Alzheimer's and obviously that is quite rare, but it really does show that it's not just a part of ageing,' says Taylor. 'It's a biological disease and if something goes wrong, then we can try and find a way to make it right – that's where research comes in.' 4. It isn't just about memory loss 'I think a lot of people just think of Alzheimer's as memory loss, but it can affect a lot of different aspects of someone's memory and thinking,' highlights Taylor. 'Someone might become very confused and might not be sure of the time or the date, they might misplace things a lot or put them in odd places, like putting a TV remote in the fridge.' Alzheimer's can also really affect language skills. 'People might have problems finding the right words or understanding the meaning of words or might struggle to follow conversations, and that might mean that they become quite withdrawn,' says Taylor. In addition, there's a lot of links between Alzheimer's and mood and behaviour changes. 'People can become low in mood. other people may become more agitated or aggressive, and that's a really heartbreaking thing for someone to go through,' says Taylor. A post shared by Alzheimer's Research UK (@alzheimersresearchuk) 'People often ring us and say why would I bother going to the doctor if there's no cure yet – but I think the benefits of getting a diagnosis is that support and understanding that you get from knowing what's going on, and the ability to plan ahead,' says Taylor. 'Getting a diagnosis means you can put things in place like the lasting power of attorney and sort out your will and finances while you have time. 'Getting an early diagnosis also means getting those treatments while they're likely to work best, and a diagnosis also provides more opportunities to take part in research, so the future generations don't have to go through the same thing.' 6. Remember to be patient with loved ones who have Alzheimer's 'Someone might change quite a lot when they have Alzheimer's, but it doesn't mean that they deep down aren't the same person,' emphasises Taylor. 'Someone's behaviour might change quite drastically throughout the course of the disease but it's not coming from a bad place. 'So, patience and understanding is really key when dealing with anyone with any form of dementia. Treasure the time that you have with them.'For more information about dementia, dementia research or taking part in research, visit Alzheimer's Research UK's website or contact its Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or email infoline@
Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
‘Hope on the horizon' as drugs assessed for Alzheimer's prevention
Some 138 treatments are being assessed in clinical trials. A third of drugs currently being trialled are 'repurposed' medications that are already being used to tackle other diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cholesterol, according to the new review. One such trial is assessing whether semaglutide, the main ingredient for the weight loss and diabetes drug Ozempic and weight loss drug Wegovy, can slow the progression of dementia. And four late-stage trials are looking at preventing disease. Experts said that drugs targeting amyloid protein build up in the brain, such as lecanemab and donanemab, are 'only one part of the overall strategy' as they expressed excitement over the variety of new drugs, which are being tested among patients. The new review of Alzheimer's disease in clinical trials in 2025 found 182 clinical trials assessing the impact of 138 drugs. The number of trials represents an 11% increase on the previous year, according to the review, which was led by an expert from the University of Nevada in the US and has been published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions. Commenting on the paper, Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'This year has really given us real cause for optimism.' She said that as well as more drugs coming through the pipeline, the treatment targets are 'more diverse' and 'looking at all stages of the disease'. She added: 'What this paper is showing us is that the pipeline of drug development is growing, it's diversifying and accelerating.' 'This latest report shows us that there is hope on the horizon for people with Alzheimer's, building on lecanemab and donanemab.' Dr Emma Mead, chief scientific officer of the Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, added: 'Today we are at a tipping point in dementia research as we understand more and more about the diseases that drive dementia. 'This gives us opportunities to slow and ultimately stop this devastating condition and today's announcement demonstrates that researchers are able to translate these understandings towards potential new treatments.' James Rowe, professor of cognitive neurology at the University of Cambridge and consultant neurologist, said: 'What strikes me is not just the number of new drugs, which is increasing year on year, but their range of targets (and) the range in which they work, giving us multiple shots on goal.' On the drugs which are being investigated for the prevention of disease, Prof Rowe said: 'One of the most exciting things of this report is the number of large-scale late-stage trials on prevention. 'And the aspiration to prevent, not just treat, is starting to be seen in the figures we see in these charts today.' He added: 'One way this can work is you take a treatment that you show to be working in people with symptoms with the illness, and then you simply bring it forward by some years. 'The ones that are in trial at the moment are really… bringing forward an effective treatment to earlier stage.' For instance, people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's could receive some drugs earlier to see if they protect against the disease. On the repurposing of current drugs, Dr Mead said that it can usually take 10 to 15 years for new drugs to be tested and approved for use. 'Being able to repurpose drugs licensed for other health conditions could help to accelerate progress and help to open up other avenues to prevent or treat dementia causing diseases,' she said. 'A really promising example of this is the drug semaglutide, which is currently being trialled in people with mild cognitive impairment.' Meanwhile, academics said lecanemab and donanemab, which can be used for treating mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's patients, are an 'important first step' in the battle against the disease. The treatments were initially approved for UK use by regulators but then deemed not cost-effective for NHS use. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is taking more evidence on donanemab and lecanemab and is expected to announce its decision in the summer. Dr Scales added: 'Lecanemab and donanemab have represented a huge leap forward in our understanding and ability to be able to treat Alzheimer's disease. 'What they've done is they've proved that we're able to modify the course of Alzheimer's disease, and what that has done is opened up the door to future treatments that we hope are more effective, easier to deliver and and able to deliver for our patients.' She said studies are showing 'even more complexities' around Alzheimer's and that in the future, people may be treated with a combination of drugs, depending on when they are diagnosed and the type of dementia they have. Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'This paper shows that 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Alzheimer's disease drug development. 'With more trials under way than ever before and more drugs entering the pipeline, there is hope on the horizon for the nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK.'
Powys County Times
10 hours ago
- Powys County Times
‘Hope on the horizon' as drugs assessed for Alzheimer's prevention
Dementia experts have said that 'hope is on the horizon' after a new review shows a rise in the number of potential drugs that could treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Some 138 treatments are being assessed in clinical trials. A third of drugs currently being trialled are 'repurposed' medications that are already being used to tackle other diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cholesterol, according to the new review. One such trial is assessing whether semaglutide, the main ingredient for the weight loss and diabetes drug Ozempic and weight loss drug Wegovy, can slow the progression of dementia. And four late-stage trials are looking at preventing disease. Experts said that drugs targeting amyloid protein build up in the brain, such as lecanemab and donanemab, are 'only one part of the overall strategy' as they expressed excitement over the variety of new drugs, which are being tested among patients. The new review of Alzheimer's disease in clinical trials in 2025 found 182 clinical trials assessing the impact of 138 drugs. The number of trials represents an 11% increase on the previous year, according to the review, which was led by an expert from the University of Nevada in the US and has been published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions. Commenting on the paper, Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'This year has really given us real cause for optimism.' She said that as well as more drugs coming through the pipeline, the treatment targets are 'more diverse' and 'looking at all stages of the disease'. She added: 'What this paper is showing us is that the pipeline of drug development is growing, it's diversifying and accelerating.' 'This latest report shows us that there is hope on the horizon for people with Alzheimer's, building on lecanemab and donanemab.' Dr Emma Mead, chief scientific officer of the Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, added: 'Today we are at a tipping point in dementia research as we understand more and more about the diseases that drive dementia. 'This gives us opportunities to slow and ultimately stop this devastating condition and today's announcement demonstrates that researchers are able to translate these understandings towards potential new treatments.' James Rowe, professor of cognitive neurology at the University of Cambridge and consultant neurologist, said: 'What strikes me is not just the number of new drugs, which is increasing year on year, but their range of targets (and) the range in which they work, giving us multiple shots on goal.' On the drugs which are being investigated for the prevention of disease, Prof Rowe said: 'One of the most exciting things of this report is the number of large-scale late-stage trials on prevention. 'And the aspiration to prevent, not just treat, is starting to be seen in the figures we see in these charts today.' He added: 'One way this can work is you take a treatment that you show to be working in people with symptoms with the illness, and then you simply bring it forward by some years. 'The ones that are in trial at the moment are really… bringing forward an effective treatment to earlier stage.' For instance, people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's could receive some drugs earlier to see if they protect against the disease. On the repurposing of current drugs, Dr Mead said that it can usually take 10 to 15 years for new drugs to be tested and approved for use. 'Being able to repurpose drugs licensed for other health conditions could help to accelerate progress and help to open up other avenues to prevent or treat dementia causing diseases,' she said. 'A really promising example of this is the drug semaglutide, which is currently being trialled in people with mild cognitive impairment.' Meanwhile, academics said lecanemab and donanemab, which can be used for treating mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's patients, are an 'important first step' in the battle against the disease. The treatments were initially approved for UK use by regulators but then deemed not cost-effective for NHS use. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is taking more evidence on donanemab and lecanemab and is expected to announce its decision in the summer. Dr Scales added: 'Lecanemab and donanemab have represented a huge leap forward in our understanding and ability to be able to treat Alzheimer's disease. 'What they've done is they've proved that we're able to modify the course of Alzheimer's disease, and what that has done is opened up the door to future treatments that we hope are more effective, easier to deliver and and able to deliver for our patients.' She said studies are showing 'even more complexities' around Alzheimer's and that in the future, people may be treated with a combination of drugs, depending on when they are diagnosed and the type of dementia they have. Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'This paper shows that 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Alzheimer's disease drug development.
