Dementia Support Line
EPSRC and NIHR network partnership
We're proud to be part of this £6 million investment in new research networks, bringing together researchers, developers, engineers and health and social care professionals to help people living with dementia stay independent for longer.
Technology to help people with dementia live independently
Alzheimer's Society are partnering with UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support their £6 million investment in four new research networks.
The four networks will drive the development of new tools and technologies to give people diagnosed with dementia the option to sustain their independence at home.
Background to this initiative
A survey by Alzheimer’s Society found that 85% of people living with dementia want to remain at home for as long as possible. These networks will explore ways to make that a reality, whether through assistive technology, better symptom management, or tools that foster social connections.
The research from these networks will support both home and residential settings, including private homes, care facilities, sheltered accommodation, and social housing. It will also look at how technology can integrate with existing health and social care services, reducing pressure on the NHS and shifting more care into the community.
How our networks are built
Each multidisciplinary network will bring their own experiences, priorities and knowledge to the table to shape innovation.
Professor Charlotte Deane, EPSRC Executive Chair, described the program:
These networks will bring together a wealth of expertise from across academia, healthcare, charities and, crucially, people with lived experience to find solutions that will lead to healthier and more fulfilling lives for those affected by dementia.
The networks will collaborate with:
- The NHS
- Charities, such as Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, and Alzheimer’s Research UK
- Local authorities and councils
By combining expertise and lived experience, this initiative aims to create practical, scalable solutions that help people living with dementia with their day-to-day life.
We’re excited to see what the future holds
Professor Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society said:
“As technology develops at pace, it’s critical we harness it, using AI, digital health, and community support to create simple, effective solutions."
"As well as exploring ways to make daily life easier, and helping people with dementia feel more connected, they have the potential to ease pressure on the NHS. This could improve care for everyone as more people with dementia will be able to remain independent and cared for in the community for longer."
One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. Research will beat dementia, and innovative networks like these will play an important part in helping people living with dementia today, and in the future, live independently for longer.
The four networks
Other research and partnerships
We invest in and support a number of research projects, pioneering initiatives, and partnerships, to deliver dementia research of the highest quality.
Building research innovation co-developing greater empowerment and support for people living with dementia (BRIDGES)
Project lead: Dr Jennifer MacRitchie
Institution: The University of Sheffield
This network will develop adaptive technologies that evolve with the changing needs of people living with dementia, helping with memory, speech, and sensory challenges.
It will explore innovative solutions, including:
Working with councils, tech companies, and community groups, BRIDGES will focus on:
The goal is to create technology that empowers people living with dementia to stay independent, active, and connected to their communities.
Co-designing opportunities for needs-led solutions that optimise living independently with dementia by accessible technology enhancement (CONSOLIDATE)
Project lead: Professor Alan Gow
Institution: Heriot-Watt University
This network will explore how technology can help people living with dementia stay independent for longer by supporting their social, mental, and physical abilities. Research suggests that maintaining these abilities can slow how quickly dementia gets worse, giving people extra months or even years of independent living.
The team will work closely with people living with dementia, their families, and carers to design solutions that are practical, affordable, and accessible to all—no matter where they live. The focus will be on developing technology that enhances daily life in the early stages of dementia and adapts as the condition progresses, providing support without reducing independence.
Technology empowered dementia independence (TEDI)
Project lead: Professor Arlene Astell
Institution: Northumbria University
At the moment, there is no clear pathway for people living with dementia to find and access technology that could help them in daily life. This network will change that, by setting up a system to connect people with the right tools and local services.
Based in the North East and North Cumbria—an area with one of the highest rates of dementia in England—it will create community technology hubs where people can get advice, try out assistive devices at home, and share feedback on what works for them. The network will also test and refine new technologies to speed up their availability. Once proven, this model will be rolled out to other regions across the UK to ensure more people can benefit.
Zero burden, sustainable technologies to support independent living with dementia (ZeDTech)
Project lead: Professor David Sharp
Institution: Imperial College London
This network will focus on developing low-cost, easy-to-use technologies that help people living with dementia live independently while integrating seamlessly into existing health and social care systems. It will target five key areas:
By using advanced machine learning, the network will also gather insights on health risks, care inequalities, and digital access issues. This will make sure that future dementia care is more tailored, inclusive, and effective for all.