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Interesting Stories This Week
Can blood tests predict your risk of developing dementia in the future?
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Interesting Stories This Week:
Dr Amir Khan says one simple check could help reduce risk of dementia
First subtle sign of dementia that can strike 20 years before disease sets in
Rural Georgians struggle to access treatments for Alzheimer's disease
Can this nasal spray slow down Alzheimer's?
Sleep problems could double risk of dementia in later life
Fire service offers free visits for dementia care
Can blood tests predict your risk of developing dementia in the future?
According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, blood tests could soon revolutionise the way that dementia is diagnosed.
They are faster, cheaper and as accurate as other diagnostic tests. This means that people with cognitive impairment could find out what type of dementia they have sooner than is possible now.
At the moment, blood tests for diagnosing dementia are beginning to be used for people who have memory problems.
They are being trialled in the NHS with the hope they’ll be available within 5 years. One of the most promising blood tests detects a particular protein called ptau217, which reflects key brain proteins associated with Alzheimer’s.
When this test is used alongside other tests, it can correctly detect if people with memory problems have Alzheimer’s 90% of the time in a research setting.
Work is currently being done to assess how these tests can be rolled out into day-to-day clinical practice to help enable early and accurate diagnosis of dementia.
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we hear powerful, honest, and deeply moving insights from caregivers like you- and we don’t want them to sit unseen.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
"My mum is up multiple times in the night, sometimes wandering around the house. I’m exhausted and don’t know how to manage it anymore."
Harvey says:
Night-time disruption is one of the hardest challenges caregivers face. It impacts your own health, mood, and ability to cope during the day.
Sleep issues in dementia are common and can happen for several reasons: changes in the body clock, confusion about day and night, medication side effects, or even discomfort and pain that’s worse at night.
It’s important to remember: this isn’t intentional. Your mum isn’t “trying” to disturb you, her brain is sending mixed signals about when it’s time to rest.
Here are a few things that might help:
Gentle ideas for better nights:
1. Establish a calming evening routine
Dim the lights, play soft music, and avoid stimulating activities close to bedtime. Consistency can signal to the brain that it’s time to wind down.
2. Limit daytime naps
Short naps are fine, but long or late-afternoon naps can make it harder to sleep at night.
3. Keep the environment safe
If wandering happens, ensure hallways are well-lit, remove trip hazards, and consider discreet safety gates or motion sensors.
4. Gentle redirection
If she’s up in the night, try calmly guiding her back to bed rather than engaging in long conversations or switching on bright lights.
5. Look for triggers
Sometimes pain, needing the toilet, or even feeling hungry can wake someone. Keeping a small night-time snack or making sure she uses the toilet before bed can help.
Warmly,
Harvey
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