Edith Cowan University study finds going on a holiday can improve mental health of those with dementia

Going on a holiday has a a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing and can even benefit people with dementia, Perth researchers have found. A team at Edith Cowan University discovered that traveling should not only be viewed as a recreational experience but also a therapeutic one that can deliver real health benefits. The paper, titled “Tourism as a dementia treatment based on positive psychology”, examined the relationship between travel and the treatment of dementia. Tourism was found to be a possible way of improving patients’ wellbeing as an adjunct to non-pharmaceutical interventions. Lead researcher Jun Wen said medical experts can recommend dementia treatments such as music, exercise, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy and sensory stimulation — all of which can be found when travelling. Dr Wen said the study was one of the first to discuss how tourism experiences could potentially work as dementia interventions. He said being in a new environment and having new experiences could provide cognitive and sensory stimulation. “Exercise has been linked to mental wellbeing and travelling often involves enhanced physical activity, such as more walking,” Dr Wen said. “Mealtimes are often different on holiday: They’re usually more social affairs with multiple people and family-style meals have been found to positively influence dementia patients’ eating behaviour. “And then there’s the basics like fresh air and sunshine increasing vitamin D and serotonin levels. “ Dr Wen also said COVID-19 had impacted on tourism, raising questions about tourism’s value beyond lifestyle and economic factors. He said it was time for tourism to be recognised in public health — not just for “healthy tourists, but (for) vulnerable groups”. Dr Wen hoped more collaborative research could further explore how tourism could enhance the lives of people with various conditions. “We’re trying to do something new in bridging tourism and health science,” he said. “There will have to be more empirical research and evidence to see if tourism can become one of the medical interventions for different diseases like dementia or depression. “