University role in dementia study

A PIONEERING international study involving academics from Sheffield University has shown for the first time it is possible to improve the eating skills of dementia sufferers.

The study, which was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, tested two separate intervention methods to assess patients' eating patterns.

Loss of memory and problems with judgment can cause difficulties in eating, which can then lead to ulcers and infections.

The study used two different step-by-step training programmes to help older people with dementia regain eating skills which are commonly lost.