Since 1994, German long-term care insurance has covered some of the risks associated with requiring care. A comprehensive reform in 2016 fundamentally changed the definition of requiring care: Since then, in addition to physical limitations, mental and psychological impairments of independence have been equally considered when assessing care needs. This is particularly relevant for people with dementia and their...
What solutions are there for elderly people in need of care whose adult only children would gladly care for them, but live far away or even abroad? They want to take responsibility, but often cannot provide direct care. Smart home technologies and assistance robots seem to offer a solution at first glance: they promise safety, health monitoring...
The digiDEM Bavaria team congratulates warmly: Our colleague Dr. Nikolas Dietzel was honored with the Science Award of the Bavarian Dementia Fund at the Meistersingerhalle in Nuremberg. During the 10th Bavarian Dementia Conference, our colleague Dr. Nikolas Dietzel's dissertation was awarded the Science Award of the Bavarian Dementia Fund 2024. „It is an honor for me...
During the 6th Bavarian Dementia Week, the digiDEM Bayern research project made a significant contribution to the early detection of dementia by holding a record 62 dementia screening days at locations throughout Bavaria—more than in previous Bavarian Dementia Weeks. Around 1,500 people took advantage of the opportunity to be screened, of whom 23 percent …
After decades of stagnating research, there's renewed momentum: new monoclonal antibodies against amyloid deposits, such as Lecanemab or Donanemab, are directly targeting the disease mechanisms of Alzheimer's dementia for the first time. Previous medications could only alleviate symptoms, but not slow the progression of the disease. How promising are the new drugs – and…
For many people, calorie-free sweeteners are a welcome alternative to sugar, especially for those who are mindful of their weight or suffer from diabetes. A new study from Brazil examines the possible consequences of consuming sugar substitutes and sweeteners on cognitive performance. The researchers...
Recent research has already shown a connection between dementia and suicide risk. Scientists from Great Britain have now investigated in a current publication to what extent the suicide risk differs between various types of dementia. Understanding the differences is of great importance for several reasons. Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths are usually counted under...
It has already been scientifically proven that pets have a positive influence on cognitive function and can counteract cognitive decline in later adulthood. But does it make a difference which pet you have? And what role does the age at which you get the pet play? Scientists from the...
Criminal risk-taking behavior occurs more frequently in people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) than in people with other forms of dementia. This was discovered by researchers from Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia. Their study was published in August 2025 in the internationally renowned journal Nature Translational Psychiatry. Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia can not only affect memory...
Assets, income, and the risk of people aged 80 and over in Germany developing dementia: what are the connections? Do economic inequalities play a role? Researchers from Germany, Great Britain, and Australia investigated these questions. To get straight to the point: there is a connection between wealth and dementia. „This knowledge has the potential to advance research..."
