An article by Manuel Parra Aranda
Occupational Therapist Residence
Expert in gerontology and health in the elderly Miguel Cervantes University of Elche
The Alzheimer disease It is defined as a degenerative, progressive and irreversible type of dementia in which the loss of intellectual and cognitive abilities occurs along with the appearance of behavioral disorders. This loss occurs in a homogeneous way, which means that we can differentiate it from other types of dementia.
Occupational therapy plays a key role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s as a science based on scientific evidence
Today There is no treatment capable of eradicating the pathology.being those that currently exist intended to slow down the progress of mima or alleviate the associated symptoms (behavioral disorders, sleep rhythm disturbance, etc.)
It is in this framework, where the non-pharmacological therapieswhere the occupational therapy which plays a key role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s as a science based on scientific evidence.
Occupational therapists have been working in this field since different treatment approaches as they are:
- technique of reality orientation: through which it is intended to guide the affected person in time and space.
- cognitive stimulation: work is done to maintain cognitive abilities (calculation, memory, attention, etc.) This can be done through different games (cards, dominoes, reminiscence workshop, cognitive cards,…)
- sensory stimulation: consists of enhancing and maintaining the functions of the 5 senses through activities of attention, concentration, fixation, coordination, motor skills and recognition of stimuli.
- psychomotricity: It is a global technique where the patient works mind, body, affectivity and social roles. You can work with balls, rings, pikes, parachutes, games, circuits.
- functional therapy: it is intended to train functional capacities affected and that can influence the subsequent performance of the basic activities of daily life.
- Rehabilitation of the ADLs: Under this approach, the aim is to re-educate the person so that they can carry out the basic activities of daily life autonomously.
- Advice on the use / purchase of technical help
- Advice to families and caregivers especially in the treatment and handling of the patient with Alzheimer’s.
In addition to the aforementioned techniques, occupational therapists use common methods with other disciplines as they are:
- Activities Montessori.
- Animal Facilitated Therapy: this being a technique that is increasingly showing greater benefits, not only at a cognitive level but also at a behavioral and emotional level
- therapy room snoezelen.