Alzheimer Disease: Sørensen LV

Sørensen LV, Waldorff FB, Waldemar G. · Department of Neurology, Memory Disorder Research Group, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. · Aging Ment Health. · Pubmed #18791891 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this qualitative study was to identify and analyse the participants' experienced outcome of an intensive structured psychosocial intervention programme with tailored counselling, education and support groups for home-living patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and their spousal caregivers. METHOD: Data were collected by semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted separately with each person in 10 couples before the intervention and 1-3 months after completed intervention. For the analysis, a template organizing style of interpretation was used. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that patients found support groups relevant: they found it stimulating to be with peers, it supported their self-esteem, and it supported them in finding new ways of managing everyday life and social relations. During and after the intervention, caregivers were better able to cope with the challenges their partner's disease involved, and they were able to face everyday life and social relations with more serenity and competence. After the intervention, both patients and caregivers sought suitable support groups they could join as a permanent activity and caregivers sought permanent counselling. CONCLUSION: Early tailored counselling and support may improve patients' and caregivers' opportunities to adapt to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and to maintain well-being.

Sørensen LV, Waldorff FB, Waldemar G. · Memory Disorder Research Group, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2082, Blegdamsvej 9, DK 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. · Arch Gerontol Geriatr. · Pubmed #17936382 No free full text.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate social participation in home-living patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to identify predictors for low social participation. The study was based on baseline data from 330 home-living patients with mild AD who participated in The Danish Alzheimer Intervention Study (DAISY). Proxy-obtained information from primary caregiver assessed patients' social participation. The result showed that low social participation was present in mild AD. Significant independent predictors of low social participation were impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The findings from this study add to the literature that social impairment is present even in the mild stage of AD. The findings underscore the importance of assessing social participation in mild AD as soon as few ADL skills are lost.