Occupational Therapy and Alzheimer's
Our Impact
Occupational Therapy (OT) has been considered as an effective intervention for dementia through evidence based research. Evidence supporting this idea continues to become stronger as more researchers explore the relationship between OT and dementia. Occupation-based interventions that focus on the maintenance of activities of daily living, exercise programs, or errorless learning have been found to have the strongest evidence for being an effective OT treatment (Smallfield & Heckenlaible, 2017). Through OT individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias may be able to experience improvements in sleep, physical health, quality of life, cognitive stimulation, socialization, and their involvement or engagement in daily activities (Smallfield & Heckenlaible, 2017).
Day Cares and Alzheimer's
Quality Care
Day care centers offer many perks for both the members and their caregivers. Day cares allow for the postponement of the family member having to leave their home or family by offering a place for them to go temporarily, thus allowing them to age in place for the longest time possible. In addition, day cares offer a safe, stimulating, and social environment where members have the ability to not only enjoy activities, but also spend time with other individuals. The use of day cares for dementia and Alzheimer's patients has been shown through evidence based research to improve behavior, sleep quality, and quality of life through the safe and enriching environments they provide (Vandepitte et al., 2016).
Objective of Activity Engagement
What are the benefits?
The objective of this resource is to promote activity engagement of male members or loved ones through individualized activities. These activities can be graded up (made more challenging) or graded down (made easier) in order to promote the "just right challenge." The "just right challenge" allows for individuals to both benefit from the activities and also be excited to take part in them since they are the perfect challenge. Through social, physical, and cognitive activities a positive and significant effect on individuals cognitive performance, quality of life, and health has been seen (Smallfield & Heckenlaible, 2017).