High-tech tools, like humanoid robots and virtual reality are transforming the lives of people living in Australian dementia care facilities. The technology — used to engage, entertain and encourage social interaction — is bringing the residents out of their shells. In the process, it is dispelling any notion that age and cognitive impairment are a […]
Category Archives: News and Research
ZEST Dementia & Aged Care showcased PARO – The Therapeutic Companion Robot at the recent Diversional and Recreational Therapists Association Conference in Brisbane. PARO held centre stage while the delegates enjoyed providing loads of cuddles, love and attention. Dan from the The Diversional and Recreational Therapists Association also interviewed Christine Bourke from the Carinya Home for […]
ACTIVITY HEADPHONES IN ACTION With the sounds of The Andrews Sisters, Dean Martin, Elvis and occasionally a bit of Taylor Swift coming through their Bluetooth headsets, patients are transported through music and movement. Agitation and frustration are common among those with dementia but after a session at the silent disco, patients feel far more settled […]
Researchers have found the use of social robots can increase the quality of life for people living with dementia. Dementia is a debilitating condition that affects over 48 million people worldwide, with over 380,000 of them in Australia It is incurable, and sufferers experience a gradual decline in memory. But, Griffith University has found the […]
More than 5 million Americans today are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). If nothing is done to stop this upward trajectory, there will be more than 16 million people with AD in the United States and more than 60 million people with AD worldwide by 2050. In the past 25 years, only five symptomatic medications […]
In the largest and most conclusive study of its kind, researchers have analysed blood samples to create a novel and non-invasive way of helping to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and distinguishing between different types of neurodegenerative disorders. Following this breakthrough discovery, Alzheimer’s sufferers may now have an additional test to improve the accuracy of diagnosis in […]
Researchers have found the use of social robots can increase the quality of life for people living with dementia. Dementia is a debilitating condition that affects over 48 million people worldwide, with over 380,000 of them in Australia It is incurable, and sufferers experience a gradual decline in memory. But, Griffith University has found the […]
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which is an umbrella term used to describe general loss of memory, thinking skills and other day-to-day functions (such as cooking, paying bills, cleaning and even dressing). A hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is gradual deterioration of memory. But it is a biological disease, which means that, besides seeing outwards symptoms […]
Taking up a new hobby, learning another language, and these other things may help lower your odds of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Read more here: 11 Ways to Lower Your Alzheimer’s Risk
Numerous studies have shown that physical exercise seems beneficial in the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia in old age. Now researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have explored in one of the first studies worldwide how exercise affects brain metabolism. In order to further advance current state of knowledge on the positive influence of physical […]