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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 are factors in its study and management. Psychiatric symptoms vary. Frequency of hallucinations ranges from 3 percent to 49 percent; prevalence of depression varies from 0 percent to 87 percent. Apathy, anxiety, disinhibition, overactivity, suspiciousness, irritability, argumentativeness, and belligerence are found. Behaviors found include aggressiveness, outbursts, assaultiveness, wandering, disturbed sleep, incontinence, agitation, insecurity, less responsiveness, and cheerfulness, irritability, selfishness, and crudeness. ...

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Occupational Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 18:09, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1692059.html