Question

Is it true that the more a patient with dementia exercises their brain, the less likely their dementia is to worsen?

Answer

It is important for people who are confused to keep as mentally and physically active as possible. Although there is little research to support the 'use it or lose it' belief , we have seen patients respond to individual attention, group therapy with reminiscence or music and to participation in physical activities. Patients also like to talk about the past, because the prime feature of dementia is impairment of memory, particularly for new events.

Specific behavioural methods have been used with confused patients to reduce problems in continence, eating or social skills. There is some evidence that having a dog or pet is important, because the pet may remind the person when it is feeding time for the animal and that may trigger a realisation that the person should also have some food.

Reality orientation therapy is intended to reduce confusion and improve behaviour of confused patients. Information is given about orientation in time and place and is repeated on every contact with that person.

Memory aids, such as notebooks and alarm clocks, may also assist patients with a memory disorder.

Overall we are of the opinion that these forms of management are lacking in scientific proof but do no harm and may help some people. But we cannot emphasise enough that it is most essential to get to the bottom of the problem, because there are treatable causes of memory loss.