2021 has been a rollercoaster year for the care community. Care professionals have had to manage staff shortages with minimal funding assistance, as well as having to overcome barriers as the country reopened with strict restrictions. At times this year, it has felt like there is not much to be optimistic about regarding the future of the care industry. 

However, in the spirit of Christmas, we have collated some of the most positive news surrounding the care industry that remind us why there are numerous reasons to be optimistic about 2022 and beyond. 

The Alzheimer’s Society launched the UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI) 

The Alzheimer’s Society, alongside the Medical Research Council and Alzheimer's Research UK, launched the UKDRI; a ground-breaking initiative that will focus on preventions, treatments and technologies that have the power to save lives. 

The Alzheimer’s Society donated £50 million towards the initiative, the largest ever single donation to dementia research in the history of the UK.  

Find out more here. 

The release of the Adult Social Care Reform whitepaper 

In the beginning of December, the government released the long-awaited Social Care Reform whitepaper. The paper outlines a strategy of moving to a family-centred approach to policy and encouraging innovation and investment across the sector. £500 million will be pledged to social care worker training, £300 million to integrate housing into local health and care strategies, and £5.4 billion to be invested into adult social care in the next 10 years. 

Whilst the paper received criticism from industry professionals, there was overwhelming agreement that it marks a big first step in a positive direction. 

Find all the details here. 

ROAR B2B launches National Care Awareness Survey 

ROAR B2B (the organisers of the Dementia Care & Nursing Home Expo) teamed up with the National Care Association, The Care Worker’s Charity, and National Care Forum to release the National Care Awareness Survey. 

The survey gives professionals at every level of the industry to have their voices heard, whilst also helping raise the profile of carers and elevate the representation of small care businesses across the UK. 

Find out about the four key sections here 

The English Football Association (FA) pledge £3.6 million to dementia research 

As part of the FA’s ‘Brain Action Plan’ and as a result of investigations into the long-term effects of heading a football, footballs governing body have pledged £3.6 million to dementia research. 

Part of the money will go towards clinical support for recently retired players as well as towards a new project led by Prof Willie Stewart, the Glasgow neuropathologist who proved football’s dementia link. The willingness to invest significant sums into new research projects is a huge step forward for the FA and signals a more transparent future about the long-term effects of heading a football. 

Read the full story here  

Cause for Optimism 

We hope that the stories and articles above provide you with ample reasons to feel optimistic about the future of the care industry.  

The government and other major organisations have pledged a vast amount of resources in an attempt to overhaul the industry. Not only that, but with the step up in dementia research, there is hope for new prevention and treatment options that could have a significant impact on a dementia patient’s quality of life. 

We hope that the National Care Awareness Survey will play a vital role in understanding the landscape of the sector. With more voices than ever before contributing to the national discussion, we are optimistic that 2022 will bring further growth in person-centred care models and business growth across the industry and its subsectors. 

We hope to see you all at the Dementia, Care & Nursing Home Expo in 2022. You can pre-register for your free ticket here. 

From everyone at the Dementia, Care & Nursing Home Expo, have a safe and happy new year!