Aged care provider Catholic Homes has been chosen by the University of Notre Dame to be part of a new study into cannabis trials for dementia support, which will be undertaken by its Institute for Health Research in partnership with Israel-based company MGC Pharmaceuticals.
The 14-month trials will see 50 residents with dementia take the medical cannabis oil called Cognicann over 18 weeks using an oral spray.
The trials will test whether the spray helps reduce some of the symptoms associated with dementia including anxiety, aggression, insomnia and hallucinations. Participants will also be tested on whether their appetite improves (in short, if they develop a case of the ‘munchies’!)
Participants will be divided into two groups with one given the oil and the other a placebo with both groups carefully monitored for any ill effects.
Sounds strange right? But the provider says there is good science behind the use of the oil.
“Catholic Homes has a long-term commitment to this cutting-edge treatment, which is a much softer approach to traditional treatments,” Michelle Barrow, Executive Manager of Residential Care Services said.
There are some other interesting treatments for dementia out there too. Calmology is a dementia-specific body care range designed to relieve agitation in people with dementia that has been clinically proven to provide benefits.
With over 400,000 Australians living with dementia, it’s great to see some innovative options being explored.
