Occupational Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

This paper presents occupational therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Occupational therapy trains individuals with cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments to be as self-sufficient as capabilities allow. Meaningful activity is needed to prevent debilitating effects of inactivity and promote well-being. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, chronic and irreversible, are accompanied by progressive loss of cognitive and motor ability resulting in incapacity. Occupational therapy for patients with dementing illnesses, includes continuous modification and adaptation of daily tasks within physical and social environments. Occupational therapy helps people use abilities and retain as much control over their lives as possible (AOTA, 1994). Focus for this paper includes Alzheimer's disease etiology (age 50 plus), treatment needs, long term goals, treatment protocols, equipment, other professionals involved, typical treatment, therapist and caregivers, and documentation procedures.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is believed to be the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 4.5 million Alzheimer's disease victims. Most cases occur after the age of 65 years and are sporadic rather than familial. AD results in gradual, progressive deterioration of cognitive functioning with memory loss usually the first and most prominent feature. Emotional and behavioral changes occurring in AD

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includes methods that reduce tension and change the environment to a routine, familiar, and structured situation. Assistive and adaptive equipment and orthotics are used when needed. Range of motion and muscle relaxant activities are used when indicated (Hopkins & Smith, 1988). Treatment methods include activity programs, environmental modification, activities of daily living, behavioral control, family education, and day care (Pedretti, 1996). Occupational therapy assessment is initially directed toward tasks where a decline is first noticed (work, home, driving, and safety). Progressive stages shift attention to functional mobility, communication, personal self-care, and leisure/recreation skills. Assessment ascertains the person's ability to initiate, sustain, and complete tasks. The fundamental data collection method used is observation. Occupational therapists observe in naturalistic and clinical settings. Data-gathering methods such as self-report and standardized testing may have little value for persons with severe cognitive impairments. Data allows for selecting appropriate intervention strategy and/or support decisions regarding levels of care, placement, and guardianship (AOTA, 1994). Tests for cognitive evalu

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