A Study of Language in Later Life

Do people who speak more than one language notice a change in the use, proficiency and preference of their language in later years? 

We don’t know just yet. But finding the answer to this question can help improve the quality of life of people in their later years, particularly dementia patients. 

Guardian Carers has partnered up with The University of Edinburgh for a research study on language changes in people who speak more than one language. People who speak more than one language often change language use in later life, but so far this has not been systematically studied. 

We have noticed that people who suffer from dementia and who speak more than one language tend to revert to their native tongue in later years. Our study aims to find out why this happens in order to improve the quality of life of people in their later years, particularly dementia patients. 

The research is conducted by Dr Thomas H. Bak, Principal Investigator and Brittany Blankinship, PhD Researcher in collaboration with Guardian Carers. 

By completing this survey you will help us discover better ways of caring for dementia patients.