Dementia

DO DEMENTIA PATIENTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO DAYDREAM?

A new study from theUniversity of Sydneyhas been released showing that the inability to daydream is a risk for dementia patients.

We often assume that dementia patients are caught up in memories or thoughts, but usually these patients are stuck in the moment. When we think dementia patients are daydreaming, they are actually stuck in the moment often leading to the feeling of isolation. A blank mind is what dementia patients often report, where healthy minds allow their mind to wander and daydream. Don’t be afraid to interrupt to get them to refocus.

Those suffering from dementia can also see changes in their personality and behavior. These patients have the inability to reflect internally and can’t think about the future as they are usually fixed in the moment.

Knowing these things about dementia patients can hopefully help us understand their behavior and feelings. It can be difficult to really understand what is going on in the mind of those with dementia, causing frustration from all sides.

If you are looking to learn more about dementia, contact our office today. We offer in-person and online cognitive therapy to mitigate the onset of dementia. We also offer a support group for caregivers.

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Dr. John den Boer

Dr. John den Boer specializes in providing mental performance training to athletes (with particular specialization in ball sport athletes like tennis and baseball). He received his internship training at VA Boston Healthcare System (Boston University School of Medicine/Harvard University) and received his postdoctoral training at Barrow Neurological Institute. He has published extensively in the area of Clinical Neuropsychology and Sports Neuropsychology and has been an expert speaker at many local, national, and international conferences. He has consulted with many elite-level sports organizations, including the USOC, ATP/WTA tours, NCAA, MLB, NBA, and NFL. He is a USPTA-Elite and PTR Teaching Professional. He specializes in developing junior elite tennis players and helping them realize their dreams at playing college tennis.