The first generation of digital technology users is now reaching an age where the risk of dementia increases. But how has long-term technology use affected their cognitive abilities? Has it been a training for the brain, or has it rather harmed it? Researchers from the USA (Texas)...
Communal singing brings joy, orientation, and social connection to people with dementia – a recent review shows how singing programs can be designed to be particularly effective. Singing connects people – and this is especially true for those whose memory is gradually fading. A recent review examined 23 studies worldwide to find out...
Life expectancy is increasing – and with it, the number of people developing age-related illnesses and requiring care. At the same time, there are fewer people who can provide informal care for this growing need: meaning fewer family members and dependents who can look after their loved ones. What might future care look like under these circumstances? …
Sexually inappropriate behaviors are among the most challenging accompanying symptoms of dementia, yet they are often experienced as a taboo topic in everyday care. A recent international review has now systematically investigated how caregivers experience these situations and what effects they have on daily life, relationships, and care. Sexually inappropriate behaviors in dementia include, among others...
Restless and disturbed sleep is more than just a burden in everyday life – it could also have long-term consequences for brain health. A recent study by a research group from New York investigated the connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by breathing pauses during the night, and the...
Hearing loss is one of the most common health changes in older age. About one in three people over 65 is affected. For several years, researchers have also suspected a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. But can hearing aids actually help slow down mental decline...
A dementia illness does not only affect cognitive performance or the ability to manage daily life. It can also impact one's own identity, which is characterized by changes in professional, familial, and social roles. These personality changes often harbor anxieties and uncertainties about the...
With the Digital Health Applications Act (DVG), which came into force on December 19, 2019, digital health applications (DiGAs) can be prescribed by doctors and financed by statutory health insurance. However, since the introduction of DiGA coverage, two issues have been at the center of a dispute between the stakeholders involved: scientifically proven efficacy and...
How can the medical and nursing care of people with dementia be better aligned with their wishes and values? A recent systematic review by the digiDEM Bavaria team shows: Advance Care Planning (ACP) can make an important contribution to this if it is implemented early and in a structured manner. ACP refers to a continuous process...
Family members, friends, or neighbors most often care for and look after people with cognitive impairments – usually at home and unpaid. This care provided by non-professional individuals is also called informal care. While the costs of informal care for dementia have been well-researched, reliable data on people with MCI is still lacking. Out of...
