People with dementia are still able to learn new things despite their illness. This is the conclusion made by the Swedish scientist Elias Ingebrand in his doctoral dissertation, recently presented at the University of Linköping. According to the scientist, the results of the study debunk the popular belief that people with dementia are empty shells.
Elias Ingebrand allowed ten people with dementia, eight of whom lived in care facilities, to use computer tablets for the first time. A co-worker or loved one was there for support, but the only instruction given to participants was to use the tablet as they saw fit. It soon became clear that the device aroused their curiosity.
The study lasted 4-6 weeks. Although the participants suffered severe memory impairment, they gradually learned to use the tablet more independently. The explanation, according to Elias Ingebrand, is that the body remembers the necessary movements, even if the ability to talk about them is lost. But it is important to arouse interest in a person.
The woman, who used to be an orienteer, spontaneously started using her tablet to check the results of competitions. A man who used to be restless and aggressive has learned to use the open archive of SVT, the Swedish public broadcaster. After a while, the staff noted that he sat and watched for a long time, calmly and with concentration. It was a side of him that they had never seen before.
Elias Ingebrand was surprised to find that people with dementia could solve the tablet's mysteries without the help of staff or loved ones, collaborating and learning from each other. Also in this context, they managed to focus on the task at hand.
However, there are previous studies that have shown that people with dementia are able to learn new things. For example, remembering meaningless words or the names of random people. But Elias Ingebrand says he has now shown that learning can occur even without any specific instructions, and that the results of his research can be immediately applied in the treatment of dementia.