At Virginian Rehabilitation and Wellness we have a proud tradition of raising up the next generation of physical, occupational, and speech therapists and therapist assistants. This Spring/Summer we were fortunate enough to have Student Occupational Therapist, Gwyn Duggan serving and learning along side our amazing Occupational Therapy team. Gwyn has provided a great peek into the value of occupational therapy for people with Alzheimer’s Disease. Thank you Gwyn and best wishes as you head out on your new career.
By Gwen Duggan, OTS
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive physical damage to structures in the brain, structures known as neurons. Neurons carry important messages throughout the brain to help it function (Breijyeh & Karaman, 2020). Neurons can be damaged by the buildup of plaque and the presence of abnormal structures known as tangles, which over time can cause neurons to deteriorate. Damage to these neurons in the brain can cause cognitive and physical impairments (Breijyeh & Karaman, 2020). For example, having difficulty with verbal expression and/or motor movements. The level of severity varies case by case.
Stages of AD
There are four broad categories of AD, referred to as stages (Breijyeh & Karaman, 2020).
First stages which are known as the pre-symptomatic stages are characterized by mild memory impairments. Individuals can still function independently.
Early stages we see the individual will not be oriented to time or place, begin to face difficulties with concentrating, and experience an increase in memory impairments.
Moderate stage, individuals will have difficulty with identifying familiar people and places and will present with impulsive behaviors, in turn increasing their risk for injuries and/or falls. Additionally, they will present with severe impairments with skills required for speaking and reading.
Final stages also referred to as the late stages, the individual will have severe difficulties with walking, swallowing, self-care, and managing their bowels and bladders.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help.
Occupational therapists help individuals with AD maintain their independence and safety as it relates to their participation in activities of daily living (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], n.d.). This is achieved through training in interventions including exercise programs, adaptive equipment, durable medical equipment, environmental adaptations/modifications, implementation of compensatory strategies, and/or task modification (AOTA, n.d.; Piersol et al., 2018). Durable medical equipment can include items such as a shower chair and/or a bedside commode to assist with fall prevention and injury. Task modifications and environmental modifications can include altering daily tasks such as picking out appropriate clothing garments for the day by limiting options, minimizing visual clutter and stimuli, and keeping daily used garments in the same space regularly. Strategies like these can help to promote independence and minimize agitation which is commonly found in individuals in the later stages (AOTA, n.d.).
In addition occupational therapists can provide caregiver and family training on how to properly assist and help their loved ones maintain their independence with their self-care and other meaningful tasks. Training can also include educating family and caregivers on effective communication with their loved ones. OTs also provide care giver education for self care and mental health to avoid burnout (Piersol et al., 2018).
If you or a loved one is facing an Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia diagnosis call and schedule an appointment with one of our skilled and trained occupational therapists who can provide training and care to improve quality of life and reduce caregiver stress.
Resources and References:
For more information regarding AD go to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website at www.alz.org
American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Dementia and the role of occupational therapy. Retrieved from
https://www.aota.org/~/media/corporate/files/aboutot/professionals/whatisot/mh/facts/dementia.ashx
Breijyeh, Z., & Karaman, R. (2020). Comprehensive review on Alzheimer's Disease: Causes and treatment. Molecules, 25(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25245789.
Piersol, C. V., Jensen, L., Lieberman, D., & Arbesman, M. (2018). Evidence connection—Occupational therapy interventions for people with Alzheimer’s disease. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201390010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.721001