Work therapy: Intervention for community-based Alzheimer's patients

Abstract

Most individuals with Alzheimer's disease live in the community. However, appropriate activities and community services are frequently lacking for persons in the early stages of dementia. Programs that do exist, such as adult day care, are often not acceptable to the mildly impaired person, or appropriate to his or her abilities. Caregiver stress and caregiver need for respite already exists at this stage of the disease. The authors were interested in the application of a sheltered workshop model to this population. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and potential therapeutic effects of an adapted work program (AWP) offering paid work experiences in a supervised setting. Seven patients with mild to moderate AD along with the patient's spouse caregivers were enrolled in a six month study. Participants attended the workshop two half-days a week, and performed tasks adapted to their skill and ability levels. At regular intervals, study participants were evaluated to assess work behavior, depression, self-esteem, as well as cognitive and functional status. Caregivers' perceived burden and depression scores were also measured. The results of the study suggest that work therapy may be a potentially useful intervention with benefits to both patients and families.