Mindfulness Research Program: Designed to Enhance Wellbeing in People Living With Dementia and Their Spouses

People with dementia forget things and have trouble concentrating. In addition, they and their caregivers can become depressed. This project will show whether Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can lessen depression, increase attention spans and improve quality of life for those affected by the disease and their caregivers. MBCT combines intensive training in mindfulness meditation with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Studies show the meditation component creates changes in areas of the brain associated with our ability to pay attention. This form of meditation can help those impacted by dementia become more aware of their depressive thinking, leading to improved ways of coping. The investigators predict that individuals in the early stages of dementia and their spousal caregivers will report fewer depression symptoms following the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Program, as well as experience improvements in quality of life and daily mindfulness. If successful, MBCT could improve the quality of life in individuals with dementia and their caregivers, as well as may take pressure off the health care system by delaying institutionalization.