Erfurt (dpa/th) - According to a study, regular storytelling hours in Thuringian care facilities have increased the cognitive abilities of residents suffering from dementia. In addition, these have become more active, the Ministry of Health announced at the end of a model project to improve the quality of life of people suffering from dementia in nursing homes. The project goals were consistently achieved during testing. It was said that there was much less challenging behavior towards the nursing staff. Therefore, the preventive measure "Once upon a time... fairy tales and dementia", in which a total of 25 senior citizens' facilities in Thuringia took part, will be extended by another year. In the future, professional storytellers will regularly read aloud from the stories of the Brothers Grimm to people suffering from dementia in a total of 50 facilities. Nursing home residents without family members can also be included. The corresponding cooperation agreement between the state, health insurance companies and a provider of reading hours was signed on Monday in Erfurt, the ministry said.
According to the ministry, around 50,000 people in Thuringia suffer from dementia, and the trend is rising. The fairy tale campaign is part of the national dementia strategy. In addition to Thuringia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Berlin and Saxony are also taking part.
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