There are more than 700,000 people caring for friends and family members with dementia in the UK.

Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging and rewarding. It can have profound impacts on relationships, priorities, and wellbeing. 

As we make new strides in dementia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, it’s important that those developments go hand-in-hand with better support and research for carers.

Carers have a unique perspective and should consider taking part in research, while keeping in mind their own needs. 

Getting involved in research as a carer

The NIHR has published some helpful tips for carers – developed with carers and researchers – on engaging with research. 

Getting carers involved in research is important. It’s crucial that researchers are able to be flexible with carers and reduce the burden on their time and energy while incorporating their unique insights and contributions to research.

Improving outcomes for carers

There have been some recent developments in better outcomes for carers. 

A sleep study undertaken by researchers from University College London (UCL) with Join Dementia Research volunteers made advancements in sleep patterns with a programme called DREAMS START. The study found that the programme helped sleep and anxiety in family carers. It also found that those who undertook a sleep programme had significantly lower levels of sleep disturbance.

There is also support available for those caring for a friend or family member with dementia. This includes online education that can help with mental health.

Do you care for someone with dementia? Researchers want to hear from you. Sign up to Join Dementia Research today.

Tomorrow, read the next in our series about 10 reasons to be hopeful, focused on how music can improve dementia symptoms.

Read the full series from the start.