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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2004 Jan-Feb;19(1):39–44. doi: 10.1177/153331750401900109

Effects of repetitive work on maintaining function in Alzheimer's disease patients

Theressa Bums, J Riley McCarten 1, Geri Adler 2, Mary Bauer, Michael A Kuskowski 3
PMCID: PMC10833957  PMID: 15002344

Abstract

The effects of repetitive work on Alzheimer ' disease (AD) patientfunctioning were examined when nine veterans were movedfrom a work program to a traditional adult day care program. Subjects were reassessedfour months after the move with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognitive Performance Test (CPT), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Individual slopes were calculatedfor seven subjects who had longitudinal scores, and expected scores were predicted based on the rate ofdecline. Observed scores at reassessment were significantly lower than expected scores. The MMSE was on average 4.9 points lower, and the CPT. 64 points lower than expected. The GDS did not change. The spouses of all nine patients reported declines in daily living activities. Compared to traditional day care activities, work activities involve sequencing skills and practice may translate to self-care activities at home.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Allen cognitive level, function, adult day care, Cognitive Performance Test

Full Text

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Contributor Information

J. Riley McCarten, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Geri Adler, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

Michael A. Kuskowski, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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