Non-pharmacological treatment of patients with dementia
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2013, Vol 19, Issue 4
Abstract
In the practice of a family physician, ageing society means an increasing number of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Pharmacological treatment slows down the process of neurodegeneration; however, the progressing dysfunction of the brain is accompanied by progressive cognitive function disorders and, in consequence, increasingly more disturbed functioning of a patient in daily life. The lack of satisfactory effectiveness of the drugs available directs the attention of patients and their caregivers towards additional methods of intervention. Therefore, there is a need for both pharmacological and non-pharmacological forms of treatment, which would improve patient outcome and reduce the burden on the caregiver.Presentation of non-pharmacological methods used in the process of treatment of patients with dementia.Brief description of the state of knowledge: It is generally considered that non-pharmacological methods applied in patients with dementia have two important functions. Firstly, they augment the effect of pharmaceutics, secondly may improve or eliminate many behavioural psychiatric symptoms of dementia. Unfortunately, there is a lack of objective, methodologically justified studies which would statistically confirm the effectiveness of such forms of intervention. Despite this, many experts notice how important these interventions are in the life of patients and their caregivers. Non-pharmacological methods are expected to improve patients’ functioning and their quality of life. The article presents the assumptions of such therapiesas: cognitive, reminiscence, validation, occupational and environmental.The study is an attempt to provide an answer to the question concerning the type of non-pharmacological intervention methods applied in dementia, and their effectiveness. Recommendations of the Polish Society of Alzheimer’s Disease experts concerning non-pharmacological methods of dementia management are presented and discussed.Key wordsdementia, Alzheimer›s disease, caregiver, non-pharmacological effects
Authors and Affiliations
Edyta Długosz-Mazur, Iwona Bojar, Joanna Strzemecka, Katarzyna Gustaw
Keywords
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