Four new research networks led by the UK's top researchers, developers, health and social care professionals will focus on creating technologies to help dementia patients manage memory loss, communication difficulties and cope better with everyday tasks, in the hopes of slowing the progress of the disease and maximising the time they can spend safely and happily at home.  

The teams will work alongside people living with dementia and carers to ensure lived experience and changing needs are at the heart of innovation, delivering the government's Plan for Change to shift healthcare from hospitals into the community, with better results for patients while also reducing pressure on the NHS.

The four successful networks are:

• The University of Sheffield – to develop technologies to help dementia patients communicate as their disease progresses, supporting speech and memory challenges 
• Heriot-Watt University – to develop technology to anticipate, and where possible slow, progression of dementia patients' symptoms 
• Northumbria University – to develop local hubs in rural and remote areas, where dementia patients can access technology to help them with everyday tasks 
• Imperial College London – to develop easily-used tools to support independent living, and using AI to support data analytics. 

The networks will also collaborate with key partners, including NHS, Age UK, Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's Research UK and local authorities and councils, to deliver the projects, ensuring expertise at all levels is consulted on and helping to develop the best outcome. 

The projects are being backed by government, with £6.7m in funding set to be unveiled later this week at the World Dementia Council Summit. 

The networks are funded by £6.7m from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, in partnership with Alzheimer's Society. 

Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said: ‘Backing these groundbreaking technologies won't just help people with dementia - it'll transform their lives, giving people the freedom to stay in their own homes, around the people they love.  

‘Moving care out of hospitals and into communities isn't just smart healthcare - it's about giving people independence. Britain will be at the forefront of dementia innovation, backing cutting-edge research and rolling out life-changing technologies that deliver real results for patients and families. This is exactly the bold thinking we need at the heart of our Plan for Change.'

Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser at DHSC and chief executive of the NIHR, said: ‘By developing networks and technologies that help people living with dementia stay independent for longer, and closer to home, we can help improve the quality of care that patients and their families receive. 

‘I welcome this collaboration which will increase the range of support enabling dementia patients to live independently at home and in their communities and freeing up vital time and resource for other areas of treatment and care.'

Professor David Sharp at Imperial College London and director of Care Research & Technology Centre, at the UK Dementia Research Institute, said: ‘According to an Alzheimer's Society survey, 85% of people have said they would prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible if diagnosed with dementia, but many are currently unable to do so

‘It is hoped these projects will help slow the progression of the disease and provide a better quality of life for people living with dementia, to help people out of hospital and back into the community, where they're most comfortable.'