New centre to improve brain health a first for Scotland
A new partnership between New College Lanarkshire and Alzheimer Scotland creates Scotland’s first Brain Health Scotland Centre for Health and Social Care.
New College Lanarkshire and Alzheimer Scotland launches Scotland’s first Brain Health Scotland Centre for Health and Social Care. The partnership is focused on providing education to empower people to protect their brain health and reduce their risk of dementia.
It comes as studies indicate that up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide may be preventable, often through making simple lifestyle changes.
Brain Health Scotland, the prevention arm of Alzheimer Scotland, will partner with Scotland’s College of the Year over the next three years on a series of projects and campaigns which will, through education, highlight simple but effective ways of keeping our brains healthy.
The Centre was formally launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations at an event in the Motherwell campus.
In Scotland, an estimated 90,000 people live with dementia, with cases likely to rise by 50% in the next decade.
Centred around the Brain Health Scotland Centre for Health and Social Care in the Motherwell campus, almost 2000 health and social care students will this year complete Scotland’s first college brain health modules. These modules will ensure they understand how to protect their brain along with how to support those directly impacted and their carers.
By the end of the academic year 12,000 students and 850 staff will have greater knowledge on how to protect their brain health with learning embedded in every part of the curriculum.
Professor Christopher Moore, Principal and Chief Executive, New College Lanarkshire said: “Given our College’s clear commitment to brain health education, our new partnership with Alzheimer Scotland is both strategic and motivating. Their deep expertise in this field will enrich and inform the approach that we take.
Global research studies clearly indicate that a variety of interventions can support brain health and protect the brain particularly in the later years of life. With this knowledge over the next few years, we will highlight and support, through educational interventions, the importance of brain health and the ways in which brain health can be protected and improved.”
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is delighted to be embarking on this partnership with New College Lanarkshire.
“This initiative gives us a unique opportunity to inspire and empower the college’s students, staff and wider community to protect their brain health and reduce their risk of diseases that lead to dementia.
“It’s never too early or too late to make small changes that can pave the way for significant improvements in the future.”
Marion Ritchie, 71, from Bearsden, cared for her husband Dave who lived with vascular dementia. She said: “When I was a full-time carer I didn’t have time to think about my own brain health – I was just focused on getting Dave and I through each day. But now I know how important it is for my overall health and wellbeing, and in reducing my own risk of dementia.
“It’s great to hear that New College Lanarkshire are partnering with Alzheimer Scotland to raise awareness of brain health, especially among younger people. Dementia affects people of all ages and it’s so important for everyone to learn about the simple ways they can protect their brain and enjoy the benefits both now and in the future.”
