Dressing independently: A closet modification model for Alzheimer's disease patients

Abstract

The deteriorative nature of AD often affects the ability of patients to perform ADL's independently, resulting in reduced autonomy and decreased opportunities to make pertinent decisions. This study separates decision making into two components and describes pertinent autonomy for AD patients in a supportive environment. The project examines how the alteration of a closet modifies resident dressing behavior and measures the degree of patient independence according to the level of caregiver's intervention. Results indicate that when the selection process is separated from the motor skillfunctions, and when clothing is visually assessable in a preplanned sequential order, independence in dressing is enhanced in some AD patients.