Abstract
This article describes a pilot study of an experimental college course for individuals with newly diagnosed dementia, with a focus on teaching methods for promoting and maintaining optimal health. Community involvement included recruitment by the local Alzheimer's Association chapter and an off-campus site at a local assisted living center with easy access for the students. Course topics covered over the 10-week period, included modules on: physical and cognitive fitness, nutrition, recreation, communication, understanding the disease process, depression, coping, relationships, and driving issues. Stress, depression, selfefficacy, and self-esteem were evaluated both prior to and after the 10-week course. Providing education early in the course of the disease, empowers the older adult student and provides an element of personal control and dignity. The course also attempts to prevent future problems by teaching new habits and lifestyles early in the disease process. Attempts to change habits and behavior later in the course of the disease often fail due to the difficulty of learning new behaviors.
How do you feel when you are given a diagnosis by your physician for a disease that has no treatment to stop its progression? What do you do? Many people search for information on the Internet, ask friends, healthcare providers or others with the same diagnosis for advice, read articles, and attend workshops and conferences. When the diagnosis is Alzheimer's disease (AD) or another type of dementia, what does that person do? Where do they get information—especially since most services and education are aimed at the caregiver?
Keywords: community-based care, dementia, education, early stage, empowerment
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (125.7 KB).
Contributor Information
Suzanne Fitzsimmons, Center for Positive Aging, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida.
Linda L. Buettner, Interdisciplinary Center for Positive Aging; College of Health Professions, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida.
References
- Steele C: Recognition and management of early Alzheimer's disease. JCOM. 1999; 6(3): 52-68. [Google Scholar]
- Mittelman M, Ferris S, Shulman E: A family intervention to delay nursing home placement of patients with Alzheimer's disease. JAMA. 1996; 276(21): 1725-1731. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bosanquet N: Focus on Alzheimer's Disease 4: A test for health services. Novartis J. 2002; 3(1). Available online at: http://www.novartis.com/pathways/content/vol3num1/focus4.html. [Google Scholar]
- Cox C: Findings from a statewide program of respite care: A comparison of service users, stoppers, and nonusers. Gerontologist.1997; 37(4): 511-517. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Farran CJ, Keane-Hagerty E, Tatarowicz L, et al.: Dementia carereceiver needs and their impact on caregivers. Clin Nurs Res. 1993; 2(1): 86-97. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lawton MP, Brody EM, Saperstein AR: A controlled study of respite service for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Gerontologist. 1989; 29(1): 8-16. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Montgomery RJV: Examining respite: Its promise and limits. In Ory MG, Duncker AP, (eds.): In-Home Care for Older People: Health and Supportive Services. Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications, 1991, 75-96. [Google Scholar]
- Werezak L, Stewart N: Learning to live with early dementia. Can J Nurs Res. 2002; 34(1): 67-85. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Flannery RB: Treating learned helplessness in the elderly dementia patient: Preliminary inquiry. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Dement. 2002; 17(6): 345-349. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Son GR, Therrien B, Whall A: Implicit memory and familiarity among elders with dementia. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2002; 34(3): 263-267. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Karlsson T, Johansson I, Adolfsson R, et al.: Recognition memory in Alzheimer's disease. A demonstration of a remarkable memory capacity in Alzheimer's disease. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2003; 15(1): 6-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Camus JF, Nicolas S, Wenisch E, et al.: Implicit memory for words presented in short texts is preserved in Alzheimer's disease. Psychol Med. 2003; 33(1): 169-174. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bernhardt T, Maurer K, Frolich L: Effect of daily living-related cognitive training on attention and memory performance of persons with dementia. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2002; 35(1): 32-38. German. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kawai H, Kawamura M, Mochizuki S, et al.: Longitudinal study of procedural memory in patients with Alzheimer-type dementia. No To Shinkei. 2002; 54(4): 307-311. Japanese. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Clare L, Wilson BA, Carter G, et al.: Relearning face-name associations in early Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychology.2002; 16(4): 538-547. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lekeu F, Wojtasik V, Van der Linden M, et al.: Training early Alzheimer patients to use a mobile phone. Acta Neurol Belg. 2002; 102(3): 114-121. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Alexopoulos GS, Raue P, Arean P: Problem-solving therapy versus supportive therapy in geriatric major depression with executive dysfunction. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003; 11(10): 46-52. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Corbin JM, Strauss A: A nursing model for chronic illness management based upon the Trajectory Framework. Sch Inq Nurs Pract. 1991; 5(3): 155-174. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. In Brink TL (ed.): Clinical Gerontology: A Guide to Assessment and Intervention.. New York: Haworth Press, Inc., 1986, 165-173. [Google Scholar]
- Rosenberg M: Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965. [Google Scholar]
- Schwarzer R (ed.): Self-Efficacy: Thought Control of Action. Washington, DC: Hemisphere, 1992. [Google Scholar]
- Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R: A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983; 24(4): 385-396. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]