The actor Chris Hemsworth is opening up concerning the expertise of his father, Craig Hemsworth, with early-stage Alzheimer’s illness and his efforts to assist his dad fight the sickness by accessing highly effective long-term reminiscences.
As revealed within the Nationwide Geographic documentary Chris Hemsworth: A Highway Journey to Keep in mind, which debuts November 23, the Thor star took his father on a 200-mile bike journey as a option to discover an Alzheimer’s remedy referred to as memory remedy.
“My dad and I are happening a street journey again into our previous,” Chris says in a trailer for the movie. “I wish to do every thing I can to assist him. Seems, this expertise may assist combat the illness.”
Over the course of the movie, Craig’s cognitive skills appear to enhance because the memory remedy continues — together with after he and Chris meet with one in every of Craig’s previous associates.
The documentary is elevating questions on memory remedy and its position in serving to folks with Alzheimer’s illness. Right here’s what therapists need you to know.
What Is the Purpose of Memory Remedy?
Memory remedy is designed to assist folks with Alzheimer’s illness and different reminiscence points keep in mind previous occasions, feelings, and ideas, explains Paul Ragan, MD, an affiliate professor of medical psychiatry at Vanderbilt College College of Medication in Nashville, Tennessee.
“With Alzheimer’s illness, short-term reminiscence goes first and pretty rapidly,” Dr. Ragan says. We use our short-term reminiscence for data we have to retain solely briefly, corresponding to the subsequent job you wish to do or what you ate for breakfast.
However long-term reminiscence — like reminiscences from the previous, and understanding who you’re — isn’t impacted till later, explains Arshia Khan, PhD, a biomedical researcher and a professor on the Swenson Faculty of Science and Engineering on the College of Minnesota in Duluth.
“Reminisence remedy exploits that long-term reminiscence in early and center dementia, serving to sufferers to entry these reminiscences which can be already there,” Ragan says.
Memory remedy may assist with temper modifications. Individuals with Alzheimer’s will usually get annoyed and agitated once they begin to neglect, so training memory remedy can assist them settle down by reminding them of the previous, Dr. Khan says.
How Memory Remedy Works
At its core, memory remedy includes exhibiting the affected person objects that may carry up previous reminiscences, like previous souvenirs or household images, Khan explains. “It’s one thing acquainted and constructive.” This easy exercise, she provides, “helps them to calm down. It might actually enhance their high quality of life.”
“Memory remedy could be carried out with household, associates, or alone,” says Jameca Woody Cooper, PhD, a medical psychologist in St. Louis. “It may also be delivered by know-how and utilized in varied settings, corresponding to assisted dwelling services with skilled employees or acquainted environments with caregivers supported by skilled therapists.”
As a part of the remedy, Chris Hemsworth recruited filmmakers to re-create the house the place he and his household lived within the Nineteen Nineties, utilizing previous photographs. Even the framed footage on the mantel have been the identical.
When father and son arrived on the home, Craig appeared careworn and repeatedly requested when his spouse, Leonie, would arrive. Chris shared with the cameras that this was the primary time he had seen his father present signs of Alzheimer’s illness.
However Craig lit up when he went inside the house. “How does it really feel?” his son requested. “Like house,” Craig responded.
What Analysis Exhibits About Memory Remedy
Analysis helps using memory remedy for folks with Alzheimer’s illness and associated dementias.
Memory Remedy Can Remind Your Beloved Ones Who They Are
Analysis into memory remedy is ongoing, however healthcare suppliers say it’s normally a constructive expertise for sufferers. “Memory remedy is a helpful strategy in person-centered dementia care, serving to preserve particular person id,” Dr. Cooper says.
Relations can do memory remedy on their very own with a beloved one with dementia, or they will work with a healthcare supplier, Ragan says.
Khan suggests having an open thoughts about what qualifies as memory remedy, noting that even gathering with associates can faucet into it. “I’m seeing a variety of older adults gathering with associates and chitchatting,” she says. “That may be a type of memory remedy and could be actually useful.”
