| Title of PI | Overcoming obstacles to the early identification of dementia in the signing Deaf community |
| Title | Forname | Surname | Institution | Country |
| Professor | Alys | Young | University of Manchester | UK |
| Professor | John | Keady | University of Manchester | UK |
| Professor | Bencie | Woll | UCL | UK |
| Institution | University of Manchester |
| Street Address | School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work |
| City | Manchester |
| Postcode | M13 9PL |
- United Kingdom
Alzheimer’s Society
228500
01-07-2010
36
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
Deaf, dementia
What do we already know?
No research has ever been done into the experiences of deaf people with dementia.
Diagnosis is problematic, partly due to the difficulties associated with communication and also because the usual diagnostic tests for dementia cannot be used.
Like the general population, the deaf community is ageing and it is likely that many have dementia, although no exact figures are available.
What does this project involve?
Professor Young is carrying out the first research study into dementia in the deaf community.
Her team will work with 700 deaf people aged 50 to 95 to begin to develop a diagnostic test for dementia.
The team will work closely with deaf organisations and will hold in-depth interviews with deaf people with dementia and their carers to learn about their experiences.
How will this benefit people with dementia?
This pioneering research will enable Professor Young to advise on the best ways to diagnose and care for deaf people with dementia.
The work will give these people access to treatments that will improve their quality of life and enable them to remain independent for longer.
The research will also begin to provide the deaf community with dementia information services.
- Health and social care research