Dementia

Andrew Scheuber from the Alzheimer's Research Trust said: "This research involving rats may lead to new ways to reduce the risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer's or to ameliorate dementia symptoms. "A treatment involving NR2B may have the potential to slow the deterioration that takes place in dementia patients, but it is too soon to tell. "

Read more: Scientists hail HobbieJ as 'cleverest rat' | In this article: NR2B, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's Research Trust, University College London, and Medical College of Georgia

"We found that, despite advanced LC degeneration, we could reverse contextual learning failure in these mice." "The possibility is very real that such a therapy, if proven safe, would be effective in treating dementia in later-stage Down's syndrome patients," he added.

Read more: Mouse study points to Down syndrome treatment | In this article: Down syndrome, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and Washington

"There are many forms of dementia but AlzheimeraEUR™s is the most common," says Dr. Leslie Baxter who heads the program at St. Joseph's Barrow Neurological Institute.

Read more: Phoenix doctors aim to understand Alzheimer's in Hispanics | In this article: Phoenix, Alzheimer's, and All rights reserved

Almost half (47%) of carers said being in hospital had a "significant negative effect on the general physical health of the person with dementia that was not a direct result of the medical condition".

Read more: Report urges NHS to cut dementia patients' hospital stays | In this article: Complaints, Department of Health, Dehydration, Northern Ireland, and England

"The NHS is not facing up to the scale of this challenge, and not equipping its staff properly for the scale of the problem ahead," he said. Katherine Murphy, the director of the Patients' Association, said the survey confirmed fears of a failure in the hospital care of elderly patients. "Whether it's dementia, a stroke or a broken hip that brings them into hospital, elderly patients and their relatives face the very real fear that their care will be sub-standard," she said.

Read more: Report urges NHS to cut dementia patients' hospital stays | In this article: Complaints, Department of Health, Dehydration, Northern Ireland, and England

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "It is shocking that people with dementia are occupying up to a quarter of hospital beds yet there are scandalous variations in the quality of dementia care in hospitals.

Read more: Dementia patient care criticised | In this article: Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's, and Northern Ireland

"We have set priority areas for all hospitals to take urgent action, including appointing a senior member of staff to improve quality of care for people with dementia, proper training for all staff, and specialist older people's mental health teams working in hospitals. He said the dementia strategy was backed with "substantial funding" and a national clinical director for dementia was being appointed. "We expect to see urgent improvements so people with dementia and their carers get the best care the NHS has to offer no matter where they are or what treatment they need," he added.

Read more: Dementia patient care criticised | In this article: Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's, and Northern Ireland

Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: "The vast majority of NHS staff want to provide a better hospital experience for people with dementia, but are not equipped to do so; they need more information, increased support and better training to cope with the changing demographics of today's hospital wards. "The lack of understanding of dementia issues can have a serious impact on the health of people with dementia and the mental well-being of their carers. "It is also of serious concern that limited perception of what might be possible in terms of community support often results in people being unnecessarily discharged into a care home rather than returning home."

Read more: Dementia worse after hospital stay | In this article: Hip replacement, Alzheimer's Society, Stroke, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England

Mr Ferdenzi said: "My mother suffers with dementia and we had a situation where we needed to find her a home very quickly.

Read more: 'Wide debate' on care cost needed | In this article: Wales, UK, and Llantrisant

Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "For the majority of patients with dementia to leave hospital in a worse condition than when they arrived is simply unacceptable. "It is vital that the government invests in better dementia training for all healthcare staff to ensure these patients receive good quality care."

Read more: Half of Alzheimer's patients come out of hospital 'worse than when they went in' | In this article: Alzheimer's, John Lewis Partnership, Dehydration, Alzheimer's Research Trust, Hip fracture, and Royal College of Nursing