International Longevity Centre – UK

Project summary

Research to better understand the challenges people with dementia face as consumers and identify policy, practice and product solutions.

Context

Although around 80% of people with dementia list shopping as one of their favourite activities, and consumption has been found to support healthy ageing and reduce loneliness, people with dementia may disproportionately face a number or barriers and risks while spending.

The pandemic has exacerbated the long-standing decline in cash and has seemingly coincided with an increase in scams – potentially making matters worse.

As the number of people living with dementia in the community is expected to rise to 700,000 by 2025, it is paramount they are able to realise the health/well-being benefits from spending, while being protected from risks.

Project overview

Through this project ILC will conduct research to understand the key problems facing people with dementia as consumers. It will also identify policy, practice and product solutions to these problems.

This will result in increased understanding and awareness of the main problems facing people with dementia as consumers. ILC will use the findings to campaign for policy, regulatory or legal reforms such as changes to company policy/guidelines, existing dementia friendly retail/finance guides, and creation of new guidance.