The Dementia Perspective

🧠 Have you ever considered what would happen to you if you were to get dementia? For many this isn’t something we’d want to think about - let alone make a plan for. But by planning for our future, we can protect it - and ensure our freedom, dignity and autonomy are kept in check. ⚡Dementia, like many other life-altering conditions, can reduce a person’s ability to make decisions about their life...

🧠 Have you ever heard of smell training? Well, if you want a new tool in your arsenal to stave off dementia - you might want to get sniffing! Your sense of smell is more closely connected to your brain health than you realise - and protecting it is crucial. ⚡As we’ve discovered in this series, dementia affects more than just your memory - it’s a full-body, sensory experience. And in this episode...

🧠 How can you truely understand what it’s like to have dementia, without experiencing it for yourself? Well, there is in fact a way to get a glimpse into life with dementia - and Ollie has experienced it first-hand. ⚡ Dementia simulation suits mimic the sensory issues that are associated with both dementia and old age. The suit is made up of a mix of heavy clothing, restrictive neck and hand wra...

🧠 Three new anti-amyloid drugs are some of the latest innovations providing us more in the arsenal of our fight against Alzheimer’s. But Alzheimer’s is just one form of dementia - have we unlocked the same tools for the others? ⚡ Promising trials are showing surprising brain health benefits of weight-loss drug Ozempic, AI drug detection is getting better and better every day, and stem-cell thera...

🧠 Robot seals, virtual reality and GPS - some of the surprising and clever ways AI and technology are improving dementia care. And with advancements coming thick and fast, the future of care is unfolding right before our eyes. The question is; what’s coming next? ⚡ From the simple data points a smart-watch can gather, to a future where we can speak to dead loved ones, this episode focuses on the...

🧠 Life radically changes when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. Parts of life you often take for granted, that never cross your mind, are suddenly brought into view. Easy tasks become harder, the way you love and are loved shifts - and the promises you’ve made throughout your lives together take on a much bigger significance. ⚡ But through the grief and the tough days, Pip Looijenga says t...

🧠 Dementia is a sensory illness - when someone’s brain begins to fail them, tapping into their senses of touch, taste and smell can bring much-needed connection to their lives. Understanding this can help loved ones communicate, even when connection feels impossible. ⚡ This is just one of the many insights shared in this episode, to help carers and loved ones manage the difficult journey of life...

🧠 Alcohol, food and sleep - these are some of the biggest things you can address to improve your brain health now, and in the long-term. And if you want to know why they are so impactful, this episode is a deep dive into the science. ⚡ From the gradual damage that alcohol does to your brain, to the memory problems associated with poor sleep, to the importance of protecting your gut health, this...

🧠 Cutting your risk of dementia starts when you’re young. The action you take now is crucial. And the best part? What you do to stave off dementia will make your brain run optimally throughout life. Want to be smarter, have more energy and boost your memory? This is what you have to do. ⚡ A 2024 report by the Lancet Commission found that 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle...

🧠 What is it like to actually live with dementia? How do you navigate life through such a difficult time? Well, it turns out, to adapt you need courage, hope - and some fantastic people in your corner. ⚡ In this deeply moving and inspirational conversation, Guernsey resident Jan Looijenga shares his journey, after being diagnosed with early-onset frontotemporal dementia. From frustrations, to la...

🧠 Your memory doesn’t need to get worse as you age; “Cognition is a lifelong process”. Brain health is on everyone’s mind at the moment - and if you’re keen to keep yours operating at full capacity, this is for you. ⚡ Dementia is on the rise, with cases expected to soar by 61% over the next few decades. Fortunately we understand the science of dementia and brain health better than ever before. T...

Brain health is more mainstream than ever. Yet by 2043, dementia cases are expected to soar by 61%. The good news? Scientists now know how we can take preventative measures to reduce the risk of dementia - and if the time comes, how to best support someone with it. Guiding you through the science, this podcast is your essential guide to brain health, now and for the future. The series goes live du...