ABSTRACT
The first therapeutic game specifically developed for Alzheimer's disease was evaluated on an NIH grant. It was hypothesized that the game would have a positive influence on factors influencing quality of life (eg, mood, pleasure, interest in activities) and family comfort level in visiting. The study used a single group, within-participants, design, and 2 control conditions including a family visit as usual. The Observed Emotion Rating Scale for assessing individuals with Alzheimer's disease was administered with a questionnaire for the family to provide their own evaluation. Reduction of signs of depression/sadness using the game were statistically significant. An increase in patient pleasure was highly significant (P < .0001). Increases in patient interest, patient satisfaction, and family member satisfaction were all highly significant (P < .0001). The qualitative appeal of the game to family members was very high. The game provides a meaningful one-on-one intervention for individuals with advanced dementia.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/therapy , Dementia/therapy , Memory , Psychotherapy/methods , Affect/physiology , Aged , Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Analysis of Variance , Dementia/psychology , Depression/therapy , Family/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests/standards , Neuropsychological Tests/statistics & numerical data , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/standards , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/statistics & numerical data , Psychotherapeutic Processes , Psychotherapy/standards , Quality of Health Care/standards , Quality of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Quality of Life/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure the impact of professionally conducted community-based cultural programs on the physical health, mental health, and social activities of individuals aged 65 and older. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants in the study were 166 healthy, ambulatory older adults from the Washington, DC, area. We assigned them to either an intervention (chorale) or comparison (usual activity) group and assessed them at baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS: Results obtained from utilizing established assessment questionnaires and self-reported measures, controlling for any baseline differences, revealed positive findings for the effectiveness of the intervention such that the intervention group reported a higher overall rating of physical health, fewer doctor visits, less medication use, fewer instances of falls, and fewer other health problems than the comparison group. The intervention group also evidenced better morale and less loneliness than the comparison group. In terms of activity level, the comparison group evidenced a significant decline in total number of activities, whereas the intervention group reported a trend toward increased activity. IMPLICATIONS: The positive impact of participatory art programs for older adults in this study on overall health, doctor visits, medication use, falls, loneliness, morale, and activities reflects important health promotion and prevention effects and a reduction of risk factors driving the need for long-term care.
Subject(s)
Aged/psychology , Community Health Services/organization & administration , Culture , Health Services for the Aged/organization & administration , Health Status , Leisure Activities , Chi-Square Distribution , District of Columbia , Female , Geriatric Assessment , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Aged, 80 and over/psychology , Assisted Living Facilities , Mental Disorders/therapy , Nursing Staff/education , Physician's Role , Aged , Female , Geriatric Assessment , Geriatric Psychiatry/education , Geriatrics/education , Humans , Inservice Training , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/etiology , Mental Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Depression in older patients is common and responds well to treatment, yet the diagnosis is often missed. Not only has this conclusion been confirmed by recent research, it also was suggested years ago in the famous case of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Subject(s)
Depression/diagnosis , Literature, Modern/history , Medicine in Literature , Aged , Famous Persons , History, 19th Century , HumansSubject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/complications , Alzheimer Disease/therapy , Dementia/complications , Dementia/therapy , Mental Disorders/etiology , Mental Disorders/therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Dementia/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Geriatrics is pleased to welcome Gene D. Cohen, MD, PhD, as "The Psychiatric Consultant" series editor for 2002. He is the author of more than 150 publications in the field of aging, including a book for the general public, "The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life," published in 2000 by Harper Collins/Avon Books. He was the primary investigator of a 25-year longitudinal study of ill older adults that evaluated problems ranging from depression and dementia to living independently in the community. During 1991-93, Dr. Cohen served as acting director of the National Institute on Aging. In this first article, he discusses his goals for the series and highlights some of the topics planned for this year.
