Fake Claims

This blog is part of a series called the NewOld - a Dementia Trust project exploring difficult topics and points of view.

Three important debunking pieces to note on fake claims of efficacy.

Firstly the whole industry built around the arts and meaningful activities has been hit by a Cochrane Study which having looked at the evidence calls it out. About time too. Check out the author’s conclusions.

Secondly it is good to see the exploitation of a misunderstanding about dementia getting settled in the courts. The brain training scam still has its advocates in the health and care industry. Challenge it whenever you can and quote this classic legal case. Or this featuring a great photo upfront. Brain health matters, but there’s more to it than puzzles in the paper. It is more about nutrition and early years education, pollution and avoiding injury and alcohol.

Thirdly the music myth. Now this does still have legs and a lot of fake research is ongoing around the value of music and dementia, seeping sadly into mainstream media like the BBC. There is still no evidence to stand behind the big claims made for the positive impact of music on people living with dementia. But it is almost sacrilege to say so. Interesting that the Telegraph ran this piece. It’s behind a pay wall, but if you don’t subscribe, be assured that the section of the UK population that is interested in business and finance, plays cricket, and supports the monarchy, has been informed that classical music ain’t no cure for acquired brain disease.