Local charity, The Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE), recently enjoyed a visit from MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse. Her visit included a tour of The RICE Centre and meeting up with staff, patients and carers to hear about the work of the Memory Clinic.

Wera was hosted by Melissa Hillier, CEO, Dr Tom Welsh, Research and Medical Director and Professor Roy Jones, President of RICE who explained aspects of the work of the Memory Clinic and RICE’s clinical trials and dementia research studies. She also met some of the psychologists at RICE and tried her hand at some of the challenging questionnaires used to diagnose patients with cognitive impairment and dementia.

Patients and carers explained to Wera how RICE’s support had benefited them and the sense of purpose they had gained from being enrolled in clinical trials. Clinical trials at RICE are open to anyone with mild cognitive impairment or early signs of dementia not just those living in Bath and North-East Somerset but from surrounding counties like Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. To get involved in a clinical trial, local people can contact RICE and sign up to their research database.

Linda Mansell, from Radstock who cares for her husband Roger Mansell a patient at RICE said: “We were so pleased to meet Wera and we hope her visit will increase public awareness about The RICE Centre and the great work they do to support people with dementia. Myself and Roger have both benefited from RICE’s ongoing support and we feel fortunate that residents in Bath and surrounding areas have access to RICE and its unique combination of Memory Clinic services, research and clinical trials. Please help them continue their important research into dementia by contributing to their President’s Appeal which is raising funds to extend RICE’s research capability.”

RICE’s aim is to fight for a cure for dementia and their research activity focuses on improving health for older people. RICE’s ‘Delivering Healthy Ageing – President’s appeal’ will fund research capability into the different types of dementias and Alzheimer’s disease. To find out about the appeal visit: Delivering Healthy Ageing - President’s Appeal - RICE - Research Institute for the Care of Older People - dementia research and care.

Wera Hobhouse MP said of her visit to RICE: “I was hugely inspired and impressed by the dedicated staff at the RICE Memory Clinic when I recently met up with this independent charity in Bath. They are providing much needed support for patients and their relatives living with dementia as well as vital research into this devastating illness. Early diagnosis and treatment are key. While there is no cure for dementia yet symptoms can be managed much better if people get timely help.”

Melissa Hillier, Chief Executive Officer at RICE said: “We are so grateful to Wera for taking the time out of her busy schedule to visit RICE. It was a pleasure to show her the Memory Clinic facilities at RICE and explain how we support patients, families and carers through our clinical diagnosis service, our research into dementia and our support courses for patients and families. Despite the fact that 1 in 3 people born today in the UK will develop dementia in their lifetime research into dementia remains poorly funded. We’d encourage anyone interested in supporting the search for new treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to consider supporting our RICE President’s Appeal.”

RICE is an internationally recognised research institute, treatment centre and Memory Clinic dedicated to improving quality of life for older people through its research and support for people with dementia, their families and carers. As well as undertaking dementia research and conducting clinical trials into potential treatments for dementia, RICE hosts the NHS Memory Clinic for Bath and North East Somerset. The RICE Memory Clinic receives referrals from local GPs, assesses patient’s memory and thinking skills and provides treatment and medication for dementia. The RICE Centre also runs courses for carers and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) courses for patients.

To find out more about taking part in RICE’s clinical trials or to donate to the President’s Appeal visit Home - RICE - Research Institute for the Care of Older People - dementia research and care or contact Melissa Hillier at [email protected]