Productive behaviors vary and include areas of: work performance, concentration, social activities, and problem-solving abilities. Antecedents may vary and include genetic factors, factors related to aging, and environmental factors (Baum, Edwards, & Howell, 1993; Becker, Bajulaiye, & Smith, 1992; Brumback & Leech, 1994; Seltzer & Buswell, 1994; Sobel, Davanipour, Sulkava, Erkinjuntti, Wikstrom, Henderson, Buckwalter, Bowman, & Lee, 1995).
Risk factors are confirmed as advanced age, family history of dementia, and Down's syndrome. Head trauma may also be a risk factor. Some state that the disease is a disorder stemming from damage to the brain that is subclinical for decades, making those affected particularly prone to the consequences of neuronal attrition. Environmental damage compounds the effects of age-related neuronal losses; pathogenic exposures would be more likely to be detected when neuronal changes of ageing are the greatest as in later-onset. Age of onset is a major feature considered in the distinction between Type I and Type II Alzheimer's disease. In Type I (later-onset), environmental factors may pose a greater risk and family history is less common. AD has been found to be positively correlated with starvation/malnutrition and negatively with analgesics; earlier-onset is correlated with physical underactivity and nervous breakdown (Henderson, Jorm, Korten, Creasey, McCusker, Broe, Longley, & Anthony, 1992).
AD affects the primary caregiver, all family members, and the patient. Treatment must consider the needs of all involved. Occupational therapy with AD patients focuses on self-care, independent living skills, and assessment for employment potential. Family education, behavior management, and support are also components of the occupational therapy program. A graded program of environmental modification and task simplification is needed. The therapist needs a clear understanding of the patient's his...