Speed Reading — Health Service - Level 6 — 500 wpm 

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Hospitals in the United Kingdom are adapting to help people who suffer from dementia. Many hospitals have undergone a "vintage makeover" to make dementia patients feel more relaxed and to help trigger memories about the past. The makeover includes creating tea rooms (old-style cafes) that look the same as those from the 1950s; a small movie theatre where patients can watch old black and white films from yesteryear; and a 1950s-themed "memory room" full of furniture and artwork from the 1950s. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) said the "dementia-friendly adaptations" could help patients to cope with stress by relaxing in familiar surroundings that could bring back happy memories.

Dementia is a term for diseases and conditions that involve a decline in memory. It is also accompanied by a deterioration in language ability, problem-solving and other thinking skills. The condition greatly affects a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. The World Health Organization estimates there to be 46.8 million people worldwide living with dementia. Someone in the world develops it every three seconds. The NHS believes its makeover facilities will help dementia patients. It said: "Having a dementia-friendly place to stay may help patients adjust better to their surroundings, lessen the likelihood of falls and reduce their reliance on medicine."

Comprehension questions
  1. What might the vintage makeover trigger memories about?
  2. From what period will patients be able to see movies?
  3. What is a "memory room" full of?
  4. What surroundings did a health service say patients could relax in?
  5. What does a health service think the makeover will bring back?
  6. What did the article say deteriorates because of dementia?
  7. What does dementia greatly affect a person's ability to do?
  8. How often does someone develop dementia around the world?
  9. What might the patients have a lesser likelihood of doing?
  10. What do doctors hope patients will rely on less?

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