Hospitals in the UK are helping people who suffer from dementia by undergoing a "vintage makeover". This is to make dementia patients feel relaxed and to trigger memories about the past. The makeover includes creating old-style cafes with a 1950s look; a movie theatre where patients can watch black and white films from yesteryear; and a 1950s-themed "memory room" full of 1950s furniture. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) said the "dementia-friendly adaptations" could help patients to cope with stress by relaxing in familiar places that could bring back happy memories.
Dementia is a term for conditions that involve a decline in memory, language ability, problem-solving and other thinking skills. It greatly affects a person's ability to do everyday activities. The World Health Organization estimates there are 46.8 million people worldwide with dementia. Someone develops it every three seconds. The NHS believes its makeovers will help dementia patients. It said: "Having a dementia-friendly place to stay may help patients adjust better to their surroundings, lessen the likelihood of falls and reduce their reliance on medicine."