Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: Symptoms, Stages, and Communication Strategies Expanded ____
ACTIVITIES FOR THE PATIENT WITH AD OR OTHER DEMENTIA Activities should be adaptable mental and physical options that are integrated into the daily schedule. Physical activity can slow cognitive decline and provide the strength that is neces- sary to perform ADL.THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES CAN HELP ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE • Physical activity—walking, light weights, and dancing/moving to music • Sit to stand exercise—practice sitting in a chair and getting up; create a game to encourage participation • Chair-based exercises—this type of exercise accommodates all levels of ability • Engage in activities that are done standing to promote balance (dish washing, meal prep) • Stretching exercises—can be done in bed or on a chair or sofa, and can help with mobility • Tai chi—can be done sitting or standing • Guided meditations—find YouTube videos that are short and engaging • Gardening—this type of activity is often found in communities serving people with dementia, as the process of planting, watering, and cultivating seeds is physical activity that is also engaging and fulfilling • Interactive games and puzzles • Music—this may impact brain plasticity, improving cognition and mood (Flo et al., 2022) ‒ Adjust type of music to person’s taste and response—they may prefer music from their childhood
CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER Caregivers can suffer from sadness; depression; stress; and feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and distressed (Shin & Haber- mann, 2022). Stressed caregivers may find their health compro- mised. It is important that family caregivers build a supportive network that will help them share the responsibility. Professional caregivers may also find the role stressful and as part of best practices, they should ensure that they are getting exercise, eating a healthy diet, having quiet moments, and reaching out for help as needed. New technology may be helpful for families and professional caregivers (Palmdorf, 2021). Devices include televisions, computers, smartphones, monitoring devices, fall prevention sensory devices, and robots. The goal is to provide supportive patient monitoring and engagement, caregiver connection, and telehealth. Health plans may offer these devices as part of their coverage, and all are designed to improve outcomes and well-being. CAREGIVER RESOURCES There are support resources for caregivers. The stress that a caregiver may experience is correlated to the amount of time they spend caregiving. Identifying ways to have meaningful support for the patient and the caregiver throughout each respective stage can greatly improve the overall well-being of everyone involved. Any caregiver may reach obtain informa- tion about local caregiver support resources, with the Veterans Administration National Caregiver Support Line by calling 1-855-260-3274. CASE STUDY #1: INSIGHT INTO FAMILY AND CAREGIVER BURDEN Angela, age 78, was a divorced, retired schoolteacher who recently purchased a home in a retirement community. She loves the unit and is friendly with her neighbors. She has two parking spaces in front of her place, and she shares one, since she only needs one space for her car. Angela is going to seeing her children—Kayla, age 42, and Trent, age 40—next weekend. Due to the pandemic, they haven’t been together for more than two years, though they do have weekly virtual calls. During a recent conversation Kayla noticed that Angela seemed confused, unfocused, and anxious. When she pointed this out, Angela became angry and defensive. Trent stated that he had not noticed anything different with his mother. Kayla decided she would address it again when they were together. When Kayla and Trent arrived at Angela’s, they noticed that her car was not parked in her space. Upon entering the home, they saw piles of papers and bags all over the living room. The always immaculate kitchen was filled with open boxes of partially eaten food, the coffee maker was filthy and cracked, and there was no fresh food in the refrigerator. They realized something was wrong. When they sat down, they asked Angela what was wrong. Initially she denied there was a
‒
Use quiet music as background for a calming effect
Healthcare Consideration: A person’s living environment should be empowering and encourage positive risk-taking, meaningful activities, and a sense of self (Mmako et al., 2020). Ensuring that these concepts are integrated into daily life, in any living environment, can lead to improved quality of life for the patient. Self-Assessment Quiz Question 16. Music therapy is thought to do which of the following? A) Improve cognition and positively impact mood.
B) Cause depression. C) Increase anxiety. D) Encourage music as a second career.
20
EliteLearning.com/Psychology
Powered by FlippingBook