Aims of the Study

IDEAL is the first large-scale project of its kind, and what the researchers find out will be used to guide policy and practice for helping people deal with dementia.

As we get older we experience various changes in memory and other abilities which can affect our well-being and quality of life.

It is very important for people to be able to maintain well-being and to live well as things change in later life.

The IDEAL project will investigate what helps people to live well and what makes it difficult to live well in this situation.


How Does It Work?

A huge 1,500 people are needed to contribute to the IDEAL study, and through ‘Join dementia research’ you can register your interest in taking part.
The study is nationwide, and NHS staff will be visiting volunteers in their home to talk about dementia, and what can really help make life easier and more fulfilling.

Researchers will visit three times, twelve months apart, and talk to both volunteers and family members or friends, and bring questionnaires for completion. Each new visit, they will be interested to learn about what has changed.

You can find out more by visiting the IDEAL project online.


Get Involved

Volunteers are sought across the UK, who have a confirmed diagnosis of any specific dementia. Primarily, researchers are looking to talk to those who live in their own homes.

To make sure you meet the requirements, please ‘Join dementia research’ by clicking on the Sign Up link to your right. You can also see what other studies you may be eligible for, which you can attend at the same time as IDEAL!