A high percentage of patients with dementia experience debilitating pain. Untreated, it can result in mental and physical impairment; a higher frequency of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, depression, and sleep problems; and adverse events such as falls, and hallucination. Pain can often be missed in people with dementia. They may have communication difficulties or have difficulty interpreting their pain.
Paul Chazot (Lead, WRIHW Pain Challenge Academy) and Balbir Singh (WRIHW Honorary Fellow), two members of the Fuse Health award-winning Unmasking Pain project team, who are working with people living with chronic pain to express, through artistic activities and creation such as dance, music, storytelling and moulding, what it’s like to live with chronic pain, Parkinsons and dementia. The team also presented work on the WRIHW Brain Body and Behaviour Academy Enlighten and Namaste care projects for Dementia Care, including infrared light therapy for Alzheimer’s which has shown significant improvements in memory, motor function and processing skills in the participants. Thanks to Finn Lawton (Biosciences UG, Parkinsons Pals Co-Lead) for her help with running a series of memory tasks during the Event, enjoyed by adults and children alike. Namaste Care (Nicola Kendall, Biosciences PhD) delivers compassionate care through sensory input, comfort and pleasure, combining music, therapeutic touch, colour, food and scents to improve the lives of those living with advanced dementia. Thanks to Madhura for her beautiful dancing routine which left the audience spellbound.
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