ABSTRACT
Background: Positive qualities of children can be used to lighten the burden of dementia for society. Almost every child knows a person with dementia. The primary objective of this study is to connect generations and increase positive interaction by translating the 'hidden victims of the disease' into 'hidden resources'. Method(s): We developed a mobile application ('MemoryHome') based on the ancient mnemonic 'the method of loci' (MoL). The application allows children (n = 31) to construct personalized memory walks throughout the known environment of grandparents and dementia patients. The visual-audio-guide encourages communication between the elder person and the child. The youngsters made drawings of elderly people before and after the combination of meetings with grandparents and an educational trajectory regarding positive ageing of 12 weeks. The current study took place in autumn 2021. Result(s): This study supports research indicating that perceptions of the elderly are malleable and open to change. The predicted a positive shift in the way children view old age after interaction. Findings however showed that older people in the post-test were portrayed more negatively: significantly smaller, more sedentary and in the absence of positive symbols. Conclusion(s): These findings may suggest that the context of the pandemic further embedded negative stereotypical notions of the elderly. Positive interventions are a crucial and urgent antidote to reshape children's attitudes towards ageing. Copyright © 2022 the Alzheimer's Association.