The Dementia Research Project

Pioneer Village: Eloy Van Hal, Cofounder of The Hogeweyk talks about humanizing senior living spaces, neighbourhood lifestyles, and global adaptation

Eloy van Hal is the Co-Founder of The Hogeweyk [https://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/],  Netherlands pioneering dementia village. With over 20 years of experience in elderly and dementia care, Eloy brings deep expertise in innovative, community-based care concepts from around the world. In this episode, Eloy discusses the journey of transforming traditional dementia care into a more humanizing, community-based approach in the Netherlands. He shares insights on the village's successes, challenges, and the global impact of their model. Learn how their vision is reshaping dementia care worldwide.

Sound Stimuli: Dr Mai Nguyen, CEO of OptoCeutics shares about 40 Hertz light & sound therapy, research and innovation breakthroughs

Dr. Mai Nguyen is a trailblazer in neurotechnology, pioneering advancements in non-invasive light therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia. As CEO and Co-founder of OptoCeutics [https://optoceutics.com/], Dr. Nguyen leads the charge in bridging the gap between neuroscience and therapeutic innovation, offering new hope to millions affected by cognitive decline. In this episode, Dr Mai discusses her pioneering work in non-invasive light therapy to combat Alzheimer's and dementia. Learn about her innovative device, EVY, that uses light and sound to improve cognitive function and the exciting potential for broader applications in mental health and preventative care.

Blood Diagnostics: Mike Banville, CEO of ALZPath on early dementia detection, accessibility and innovation of blood tests

Mike Banville is CEO of ALZpath [https://alzpath.bio/]; a company on a mission to change how we detect Alzheimer’s, earlier and more accessibly. With a career spent leading & growing companies across healthcare and technology, Mike now brings his leadership to a cause that affects millions of families around the world. In this episode we learn how Mike and his team at ALZpath are making diagnostics more accessible and affordable, potentially transforming the way we approach this dementia. Mike shares insights on the current diagnostics landscape, future prospects, and the importance of democratizing healthcare.

Social Prescribing: Prof. Chris Fox discusses the SPLENDID Project, non pharmacological therapies and importance of link workers

Professor Chris Fox, a psychiatrist and internationally recognised expert in ageing, dementia care, and health services research. He is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Exeter and co-leads the SPLENDID project [https://arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/research-implementation/research-themes/ageing-and-multi-morbidity-inclusive-involvement-research]—one of the UK’s largest studies exploring how social prescribing can support people living with dementia. With decades of experience translating research into real-world impact, Professor Fox’s work focuses on improving outcomes through inclusive, community-based care models. Professor Fox discusses the groundbreaking SPLENDID Project, which is designed to improve social prescribing for dementia patients and their families. The project aims to create tailored, community-based care pathways that enhance engagement and outcomes for people with dementia. Learn about the feasibility trials, the project's focus on inclusivity, the involvement of link workers, and the potential for global adaptation.

Ageing Well: Sally Hopkins, Executive Director of Eden Alternative Aus & NZ shares about 3 plagues of nursing homes, intergenerational & cultural spaces

Sally Hopkins is the Executive Director of Eden Alternative Australia & New Zealand [https://edeninoznz.com.au/]. She leads the organization’s efforts to transform aged and community care through a person-directed, relationship-focused approach that aims to eliminate loneliness, helplessness, and boredom among elders. With an MBA and extensive experience, Sally champions cultural change in care environments to create meaningful, empowering communities for older adults In this podcast we explore the revolutionary Eden Alternative and its impact on aged care. Learn about the philosophy of person-directed care, the challenges of shifting from institutional models to a more humane approach, and the importance of eliminating loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. Hear about real-life examples, cultural differences, and the transformational training methods used by Eden Alternative.