processing speed and executive planning
responded modestly to a relatively low dose
of training and plateaued thereafter (maximal
d=0.44), whereas the memory domain required
a stronger dose to reach a higher non-plateau
maximal effect (d=0.68), and was accompanied
by faster decline post-training.
impairment is feasible but will require design
of cognitive training that accommodates the
unique potential for cognitive plasticity in
different domains.
Price, Dr Sue Hunt, Professor Julienne Meyer
live with relatives, a significant proportion
live alone in the community. Living alone
means the support and supervision that can
be provided by family carers is not available.
As a consequence, this group of people may
be at greater risk of encountering difficulties
and experiencing adverse events. The nature
of dementia means that each person must
make a series of transitions as their dementia
progresses and their cognitive abilities decline.
However, the challenges that these people
face during these transitions are not well
understood.
people with dementia who live alone in the
community. The challenges were identified by
undertaking a comprehensive review of the
literature and through interviews and focus
groups with staff from community support
organisations. The data collected from key
informants underwent a thematic analysis
using a qualitative description methodology.
areas of daily life emerged from the data.
These nine themes related to challenges for
the person caring for themselves, managing
their home, maintaining adequate nutrition,
being able to manage their money, keeping
safe, coping with technology, driving, coping
with family and other people and being on their
own in the community. The insights gained
from these nine themes help provide a better
understanding of the challenges faced by
people living alone with dementia.
of individuals living with Younger Onset
Dementia (so under 65) participating in an
environmentally friendly, local community
project by taking on a garden plot in a
community garden.
offer individuals living with Younger Onset
Dementia meaningful activities, which can
be accomplished together as a group, so
that the skills of each member can be used.
Members support and assist each other, and
take on responsibility for including everyone
in the tasks to be completed that day. The
community garden, however, offers more
than this. It offers the opportunity to offer
help to others in the wider community. Thus
as participants asked to assist others and are
thanked for their contributions to the larger
project, their self-esteem is raised and their
sense of belonging is enhanced. It becomes
a process of normalisation.