Dementia is a disease with no known cure, and there have been no new medical treatments in the last 10 years. It is projected to affect 115+ million people by 2050 at an annual cost of more than $1 trillion in the US alone. As staggering as these numbers are, they may be compounded by COVID-19 because of the link between accelerated rates of cognitive decline and social isolation.
Moving Together: A Complementary Therapy
Because current treatments have failed to cure or halt dementia once it has started, researchers and health professionals are increasingly seeking complementary therapies to address this devestating disease. In our Wellness Wednesday session on May 12th (11-11:45 am PT), we will learn about a new approach to helping people with dementia based on recent discoveries in neuroscience and integrative medicine. This approach, called PLIÉ (Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise), targets abilities that still work well in people with dementia, including the ability to learn movement sequences through muscle memory and connect with others in meaningful ways.
Our Guest Presenters
We will be joined by two members of TogetherSeniorHealth, a company that is incorporating the PLIÉ research to help people with dementia lead a more independent, higher quality of life. Cynthia Benjamin, CEO, and Jennifer Lee, Senior Instructor, will share the research based on studies at UCSF and the Veterans Administration and videos of how the program works for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Many people think ‘there is not much you can do for people with dementia,’ but that is not the case. We continue to be amazed at the changes which are possible. — Jennifer Lee
Register to Attend
Our May 12th Wellness Wednesday is free, but you need to register to attend (or receive the recording). Special thanks to The Springs of Vernon Hills Alzheimer’s Special Care Center for sponsoring this program.