Help dementia research from home

Not all research takes place in a lab. Many different types of study are vital to understanding dementia, so there are often ways you can help out from the comfort of your own home.

Surveys, questionnaires and online activities give scientists the knowledge they need to improve dementia care and treatments.

The Bristol study

One such study is the Bristol survey of dementia attitudes, which recently opened on Join Dementia Research.

How much do people know about dementia, and what are their attitudes towards people with the condition? This study aims to find out.

Led by researchers at the University of West of England, the survey is part of a comprehensive programme of research by the Dementia Health Integration Team at Bristol Health Partners.

Their hope is the results will help to integrate and improve care services and support, and create dementia-friendly communities.

In order to do this they need a wide variety of people from around the UK to take part. It’s free, and anyone can get involved.

Professor Richard Cheston, who is leading the study, explains:

“As researchers, there is so much that we want to understand about what people know about dementia, and the factors underlying attitudes towards people living with this condition. If participants can contribute to this research from a laptop, computer or mobile phone, then this is only for the good. From the point of view of the researcher, this enables us to  reach a broader cross-section of the community and thus have a more representative sample, and from the point of view of participants, this is easier and more convenient than travelling to an appointment.”

Want to take part? Just login to your Join Dementia Research account or sign up today to find out more.

How else can I help from home?

The Bristol study isn’t the only research you can take part in from home.

• GameChanger

This app is a fun and easy way to support dementia research. By playing brain games, you can help scientists understand more about how the brain works. This will support research that could prevent, slow down, or even stop the progression of dementia in future.

The project is led by University of Oxford and supported by Alzheimer’s Society. This research is open to participants who don’t have dementia, are over the age of 18 and who have a smartphone.

Download the free app today and start playing.

• Sea Hero Quest

People with dementia can face real challenges with navigation. This fun mobile game helps scientists improve their understanding of how navigational abilities change throughout our lives. Playing the game for just a few minutes provides useful information that would normally take scientists hours to achieve.

This innovative global study is open to everyone. It’s led by Deutsche Telekom in partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK and scientists from University College London and the University of East Anglia.

Download the free app today and start playing.

You can find out more about all the study opportunities are available at home, in your area and around the UK by logging into your Join Dementia Research account.

Not registered with Join Dementia Research? Why not sign up today?