The audio below is part of the interview.

Source: New York Times

Artist William Utermohlen spent the last decade of his life creating a series of self-protraits that followed his descent into dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. It was, according to his wife, his way of understanding the disease.

His painting have been touring the world, with exhibitions around Europe and the United States. Now the exhibition ‘Inside Alzheimer’s: Portraits of the Mind” will be on display in Sacramento, California. The 19 piece show will be displayed at the Art Foundry Gallery at 10th and R Streets starting February 6th 2008. Reproductions of some of the pieces will also be on display at the entraance to the Governor’s Office at the State Capital.

The exhibition has been sponsored by Aging Services of California, the advocate for nonprofit senior living and care in the state.

For more information about William Utermohlen, click the link to Galerie Beckel-Odille-Boïcos

When the pill box is opened, the computer got a message from the sensor on the box.When a patient is on high risk of falls, an alert pop up on the carer’s screen.

Alzheimer’s patients have problem with memory. Wireless technology monitors the patients 24/7, allowing scientists to see when the patients take the medicine, or whether they are having high risks.

To see the video click the images above or click http://www.healthcentral.com/video/408/2501.htm

The dogs’ visits provided a sensory experience for patients and helped them recall memories, especially if they had owned pets themselves.

Studies show that animals offer many healing benefits to people. They lower blood pressure, increase confidence and self-esteem.

In these years, specially trained dogs and cats are accepted by hospitals, nursing homes, and other health-care facilities in the US. Their visits can be especially beneficial, particularly for the AD patients. They can increase physical motivation, spark memories, encourage speech, and enhance reality orientation.

Not any dog can become a therapy pet. Therapy pets need temperament and obedience. Rigorous training is necessary to make sure the people-pet pair can work will together.In the Princess Margaret Hospital in CHCH, a pet therapy trial is running for AD patients.

Photo: DAVID HALLET/The Press-Trial: Princess Margaret Hospital in Christchurch is running a pet therapy trial for its Alzheimer’s patients. Fay King-Turner enjoys the dog visits.

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/4405885a6417.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1026153.stm

Scientists in London are carrying out a study to see if music therapy could be introduced on the NHS to help dementia patients.
Initial trials have shown that old people who suffer from dementia benefit from music therapy.

The therapy involves professional musicians and patients playing instruments and making music.

The trials have found that the therapy is popular with patients and can help them to communicate.

But scientists at Imperial College London are planning to carry out a study to see if they can prove that this therapy has long term benefits for dementia sufferers.

If their results are positive, the scientists are hopeful that the therapy can be introduced on the NHS as a treatment for dementia patients.

Dementia is a progressive, degenerative and irreversible brain disorder that causes intellectual impairment, disorientation and eventually death.

There is no cure. It is estimated that 2-5% of people over 65 years of age and up to 20% of those over 85 years of age suffer from the disease.

Benefit patients

Professor Chris Bulpitt, from Imperial College London who is heading the study, believes music therapy can benefit patients.

But he added: “For the health service to take a serious interest in this type of therapy you have to show longer term benefits.

“That’s why we are going to measure quality of life, activity, cognition, communication and hostility, for about four weeks.

“Then they are having eight weeks of weekly therapy and another four weeks to see how it lasts.”

Neuroscientists Professor Susan Greenfield described the therapy as marvellous.

“I think this is marvellous because it is not involving drugs and so much treatment usually involves some sort of medication.

“Here we have something that is exploiting a natural property of the brain to really maximise the benefits.”

‘Slow the disease’

Professor Greenfield said that while the therapy will not cure dementia it could slow down the progression of the disease.

“What could be the case, and this is just an idea, is that by stimulating the brain in this way you’re actually stimulating the connections you’re trying to keep them working and if they are working then perhaps they would be less prone to degenerating.

“So it may be slowing down the process in some way, stabilising what you have.”

Caroline Welsh, from Music for Life and one of the musicians who has played for dementia patients, said the therapy helps patients to communicate.

“There is a childlike quality that people suffering from dementia have, so they are reacting in an instinctive way often and sometimes their emotion is very raw and very close to the surface.

“If you play something that is very beautiful it may make some of the residents cry and it is very clear how you are communicating with them.”

“One would hope so because it is not involving high tech equipment or very expensive or toxic drugs.”