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Impact of an activities-based adult dementia care program

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Authors: Margaret Higgins, Kathleen Koch, Linda S Hynan, Sandra Carr, Kathleen Byrnes, Myron F Weiner

Published Date February 2005 Volume 2005:1(2) Pages 165 - 169
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S

Margaret Higgins1, Kathleen Koch2, Linda S Hynan3, Sandra Carr4, Kathleen Byrnes4, Myron F Weiner2,5

1Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2Department of Psychiatry, 3Center for Biostatistics and Clinical Science, 4Greater Dallas Alzheimer’s Association, 5Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, USA

Abstract: The investigators studied over one year the impact of a newly established once-aweek activity-based day care program for dementia patients combined with 17 educational sessions for caregivers held at the same facility. Outcome measures were patient and caregiver quality of life (QOL), patient behavioral disturbance, and use of community-based resources. Of the 37 enrollees, 3 chose not to start the program and 13 dropped out before the end of one year, largely due to health-related issues. Of the initial group, 21 attended for the entire year. The average patient Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score at entry was 16, indicating a moderate level of dementia. Average score on the CERAD Behavior Rating Scale for Dementia (BRSD) was 30.1, indicating a mild level of behavioral disturbance. Attendance at day care was 91%; at the caregiver educational sessions, 74%. Patient and caregiver enthusiasm for the program was high and all wanted to continue attendance beyond the study period despite the fact that patients reported no change in QOL. Caregivers rated patients as having significantly less QOL, and rated their own QOL as unchanged. Symptomatic patient behaviors, as measured by the BRSD, increased significantly over the period of study. Caregivers reported greater use of community resources.

Keywords: dementia, day care, quality of life, CERAD Behavior Rating Scale