Our Ageing & Dementia Research Centre (ADRC) at Bournemouth University (BU) brings together research expertise in areas of ageing and dementia.

Our research improves the lives of older adults, their families and the professionals working to support them. We put people at the heart of what we do, bringing together experts from different disciplines to conduct research that makes a difference. Our research falls within two broad themes: Dementia and neurological conditions and healthy ageing, with more specific sub-themes.

At a time when our population is living longer and often with long-term conditions including dementia, the centre’s research significantly impacts on theory, education and professional practice.

The ADRC is led by Dr Michele Board and Dr Susan Dewhurst, supported by staff and students from the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science & Technology.

To find out more about recent ADRC activity, skip to:

Our research themes
ADRC community hub
ADRC news
Resources produced by ADRC members

Our research themes

Our research falls within two broad themes - dementia and neurological conditions, and healthy ageing. Expand the menu below to find out more about our research within these areas.

Research theme one: Dementia and neurological conditions

Dementia education

A walk through dementia

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK), in collaboration with people with dementia, developed an app called A Walk Through Dementia (AWTD). This immersive simulated learning experience places the viewer in the shoes of the person with dementia.

A man teaching a room of adults learners

Dementia Education And Learning Through Simulation 2 (DEALTS2) programme

Researchers at Bournemouth University were commissioned by Health Education England (HEE) to develop the ‘Dementia Education And Learning Through Simulation 2’ (DEALTS2) programme. DEALTS2 is simulation-based dementia toolkit that’s being used nationally to support the delivery of dementia education across acute care.

Story 2 Remember

The 'Story 2 Remember' project is using drama and storytelling to create a training program to be used by health and social care professionals in care settings, with people with Alzheimer's disease.

Working with marginalised groups with dementia

Person-centred nutritional care

The front cover of the eating and drinking well guide

Optimising food and nutritional care for people with dementia

Research led by Professor Jane Murphy and Dr Joanne Holmes of the Ageing and Dementia Research Centre (ADRC) at BU has resulted in the development of a toolkit that’s helping to transform nutritional care for people with dementia. This has reached 3,046 known recipients to date.

An older couple preparing fruit and vegetables in a kitchen

TOMATO - nuTritiOn and deMentia AT hOme

Project TOMATO will help develop an intervention to provide nutritional care for people living with dementia at home.

Ageing and dementia friendly environments

Digital technology and innovation

Parkinson's and stroke

Research theme two: Healthy ageing

Nutrition

Implementing nutrition screening in community care for older people

Funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, the INSCCOPe project aims to improve the nutritional health of older people in the community, by supporting the implementation of a new procedure for screening and treatment of malnutrition.

ASPIRE

Taking place across Europe, this project explores how to reduce unemployment and obesity at the same time through supporting people to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Three older black people around a table preparing vegetables

Inequalities in Nutrition & Healthy Ageing for older African adults

A novel approach to investigating inequalities in nutrition and healthy ageing for older Black African adults in the UK.

An older Asian couple preparing food in their kitchen

TANGERINE

A co-produced sustainable food-based intervention to improve nutritional health and ageing in older South Asian and Black African and Caribbean communities living in the UK

A group of older people sat around a table talking and laughing

LEMONADE

An inclusive community food model for the health, wellbeing and social connectedness of older people.

Frailty

Fall prevention

Women's health

Exercise and ageing

ADRC community hub

A cartoon image of people forming a speech bubble

We aim to make a difference to society through our research.

We regularly collaborate with those with lived experience, our local community, and professionals working in industry and across health and social care.

Research Participation Group

ADRC events

ADRC Resources

Cartoon people sat around a laptop reading

Our research often leads us to create resources that may be of interest to researchers, professionals, students, and members of the public.

Here we share those resources with you - click the dropdown menu below to access content and materials produced by the ADRC team.

Education and training materials

Articles

Dr Catherine Talbot was interviewed by Fern Buckley on BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday 11th June. Catherine spoke about the work the ADRC does to enhance the quality of life of older adults and people living with dementia, as well as supporting their families and the professionals who work with them. She also promoted the "Ageing Well Together!" event which celebrates ageing and brings together members of the public, researchers, service users, carers, and professionals.

Lockdown and dementia. For some, COVID-19 has created an isolated, confusing but calmer world - Conversation article written by Dr Catherine Talbot

Care at home in the time of covid - blog post written by Dr Rosie Read

Podcasts

A group of people stood next to an ADRC banner

Breaking Barriers: Dementia Conversations with Minority Ethnic Communities

Listen to a podcast hosted by Dr Sophia Amenyah, which discusses the difficulties minority ethnic communities face with dementia - with challenges including diagnosis, treatment and support. People from the community share their thoughts on dementia, how it's connected to lifestyle, and ways to reach the community with prevention.

Bournemouth Uni · Breaking Barriers: Dementia Conversations with Minority Ethnic Communities

Videos

Blogs from the ADRC

Latest news from the ADRC

21/06/2024

ADRC gets a shout out on BBC Radio Solent - listen to the interview here

Dr Catherine Talbot was interviewed by Fern Buckley on BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday 11th June. Have a listen to her interview.

17/05/2024

Ageing well together: public event to share research being undertaken by BU’s Ageing and Dementia Research Centre

Free event on Thursday 13 June will showcase research and initiatives supporting people to age well.

19/02/2024

A new approach to manage frailty and improve the quality of life for older adults.

BU researchers at the Ageing & Dementia Research Centre (ADRC) have developed a new digital intervention to help patients manage their symptoms of frailty and long-term medical conditions.

15/12/2023

Research project improving nutritional care for people with dementia living at home

The TOMATO project is working in collaboration with home care professionals, people with dementia and family carers to adapt nutrition resources for home care.

Ageing & Dementia Research Centre