Stepping Out Blog

A report in the Northwestern Medicine Study has claimed that mindfulness training for individuals with early-stage dementia and their caregivers together in the same class was beneficial for both groups, easing depression and improving sleep and quality of life.

The study was published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias deals with a number of factors for people who have or care for those with dementia, and how the training can greatly benefit both parties involved.

As sight fails in old age, even familiar rooms can begin to look very different. In people with dementia this can lead to confusion and increase the risk of falls, so simply improving light levels can make a big difference.

That’s just one of the lessons for students of the dementia design school, who learn how to help those with dementia by adapting their surroundings.

The World Alzheimer Report 2014 ‘Dementia and Risk Reduction: An analysis of protective and modifiable factors’, calls for dementia to be integrated into both global and national public health programmes alongside other major non communicable diseases (NCDs).

The report was led by Professor Martin Prince and commissioned by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). The report hopes to spark an international campaign to raise awareness and challenge stigma.