Originally published July 17 2005
New Alzheimer's treatment helps those with dementia remember and reminisce about past
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A simple tool that shows pictures, videos and sounds from the past is working to help dementia patients remember their lives and grow closer to their caregivers.
For Scots suffering from dementia there is no cure and drugs can only alleviate symptoms.
But now there is hope that a new and fascinating way of assisting people with the illness will allow them to regain some of their memory.
It is a simple innovation designed to help those whose memories are fading.
The Circa system unlocks areas of the mind which might not otherwise be accessible.
Her dementia is at a moderate to advanced stage.
This is her first session with the computer, she is impressed.
She said: " I liked watching the Dundee streets and Dundee today.
It reminds me of the happy memories I had when I was young.
The system provides a database of pictures, sound and video from years gone back.
Its easy to use and that's the beauty of it.
The carer and the person with dementia work together.
Carer Valerie McDonald has seen some impressive results.
She said: "It's good to see people that are happy, that makes my job all the more pleasant, that people are getting something out of their day.
If I can do anything, using our activities or our resources, that makes their day better, well they have a good day, basically that's what its all about.
The project has the backing of the Alzheimer's Society.
Professor Clive Ballard said: "I think reminiscence enables people to remember past events, people find it enjoyable, structured interaction is very important in developing relationships between people with dementia and their carers and again, that will benefit their mood in the longer term as well so I think bringing those two things together is very powerful.
For people like Margaret is simply brightens up the day.
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