Cognitive stimulation is a structured approach that aims to engage people with dementia in enjoyable activities that generally stimulate areas of cognition such as thinking, language skills, concentration and memory. In this blog, retired clinical psychologist and dementia care researcher, Bob Woods, explains how it might help people living with dementia.
Dementia
Dementia and hearing conditions: what do we most need to know?
A new project aims to find out what are the top questions that need answering about dementia and hearing conditions, in the first Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) to look at two health areas together. Sarah Chapman looks at what this is about, and hears from some of those involved in the PSP about what it hopes to achieve and why it’s important.
Dementia: evidence, experience and resources
On this page you can find our blogs about different aspects of preventing and living with dementia. Many of them include research evidence and also reflections from people affected by dementia themselves or in supportive roles as carers, family members or health professionals. There are also links to helpful resources.
Drugs for agitation in people with dementia: benefits and risks
In this blog for the families of people with dementia, Doctors Charlotte Squires and James Garrard talk about drugs used to treat symptoms of agitation and psychosis in people with diagnosed dementia, and what doctors and families together might want to consider when making decisions about trying these treatments.
Preventing dementia: what’s the evidence?
In a blog for non-medical people, James Garrard, Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine, looks at the evidence of drug and non-drug approaches to try and prevent dementia.
Dementia diagnosis by phone and video: pitfalls and possibilities
Dr Lucy Beishon blogs about evidence on assessing people for dementia by phone and video call, reflects on her experiences during the pandemic, and looks to the future.
Commonly-prescribed drugs and dementia: should we be worried?
In this blog for people interested in memory, thinking problems and dementia, Jodi Watt (a Researcher at the University of Glasgow) looks at the latest Cochrane evidence on whether a class of commonly-used medications (anticholinergics) might increase people’s risk of future memory problems, or even dementia.
Tube feeding for people with severe dementia: making decisions
Charlotte Squires, a trainee doctor in older adult care, reflects on issues with eating for people with severe dementia and options for supporting them, including the latest evidence on tube feeding. Sarah Chapman and friend Sue share experience from supporting their mums with dementia.
Activities for people with dementia: what can evidence and experience teach us?
A blog about activities for people with dementia, drawing on evidence and experience.
Writing a Cochrane Review: my experiences of a diagnostic test accuracy review
Lucy Beishon blogs about her experience of writing a Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy review.
Pet therapy for older people in care homes: what’s the evidence?
Sarah Chapman blogs some recent evidence on pet therapy
Dementia diagnosis: a decade of evidence
Dr Terry Quinn, the coordinating editor of Cochrane Dementia, looks at the latest Cochrane evidence around testing for dementia