Many dementia patients benefit from receiving multiple therapies simultaneously. These may include cognitive behavioural therapy and other forms of psychotherapy, bright light therapy, music therapy, reminiscence therapy and aromatherapy.
As special care units strive to meet dementia patients’ changing needs, more are offering singing groups, animal therapy, art therapy and other unconventional treatments that can improve mood and decrease agitation – ultimately leading to improved quality of life for everyone involved.
Reminiscence Therapy
Reminiscence therapy allows those living with dementia to share their past experiences, helping them feel more self-confident and comfortable. Reminiscence therapy sessions often occur in group settings and can take the form of writing or speaking to help individuals remember important moments or events from their lives, connect with loved ones and alleviate boredom or depression – it may even improve autobiographical memory!
Reminiscent therapy involves recalling past activities and experiences through discussion, often supported by tangible stimuli like memorabilia or photos. Reminiscence therapy is commonly utilized in care homes and nursing facilities where it can create strong emotional ties between residents and their caretakers, creating strong emotional ties that go beyond immediate sessions. Reminiscence therapy also has long-term advantages that extend far beyond these sessions alone.
Researchers conducted a recent study to investigate the effects of reminiscence therapy on cognitive and emotional well-being among people with dementia living in long-term care facilities. They focused on physiological markers like electroencephalography alpha/beta waves as well as psychological measures like Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised to measure its effects. Reminiscence therapy increased positive emotions while simultaneously decreasing depressive symptoms; additionally it enhanced social interactions for these individuals.
Although this study produced positive results, its limitations must also be taken into account. Due to a small sample size and further research being required to gauge reminiscence therapy’s efficacy as a treatment for dementia. Furthermore, this research did not examine its impact on individuals suffering different forms of dementia nor determine the length of sessions.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a group-based, people-oriented social psychological intervention which aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. CST involves various activities designed to be both fun and stimulating; depending on each patient’s specific needs it could include games, memory exercises or music therapy as part of its program.
This review found evidence of cognitive stimulation’s ability to enhance cognition among people living with dementia and have positive impacts on quality of life and behavior. However, it must be remembered that the studies included were small with differing diagnostic criteria – for instance some predated current definitions of dementia which may have caused variances in results.
Studies included in this review were typically conducted at care homes or community settings and used a group-based design. Some hospital or clinic-based studies included ones using one-to-one approaches with people living with dementia and their family caregiver. Some included studies were also able to provide details regarding participant characteristics for comparison between groups.
Most studies included in this analysis reported an improvement in MMSE scores, while three utilized ADAS-Cog as their primary measure of cognitive functioning. Other measures utilized by researchers included Clifton Assessment Procedures for Elderly (CAPE), Rating Anxiety in Dementia Scale and Holden Communication Scale.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is an alternative treatment designed to enhance dementia patients’ quality of life by encouraging social interactions and strengthening cognitive capabilities. It typically uses active and receptive techniques, including improvised songwriting or guided listening of recorded or live music, that combine to produce lasting benefits – including reduced depression, anxiety and behavioral symptoms in dementia patients.
Music therapy tailors its music specifically to each patient, taking into account his or her history, musical preferences and current abilities. Studies have demonstrated how listening to music activates memory centers of the brain and can help people recall memories and emotions more readily. Furthermore, familiar tunes often bring comforting joy and happiness, alleviating feelings of loneliness or depression in dementia patients while increasing quality of life overall.
Group music sessions allow patients to take part in activities such as clapping and tapping that serve as nonverbal communication methods, improving their ability to communicate with others as well as helping reduce anxiety and agitation. Singing along to music can encourage patients to use their vocal abilities and promote verbal interaction; its rhythmic structure may even assist in maintaining motor coordination and movement.
Research has also demonstrated how music therapy can alleviate caregiver stress by offering them an oasis of respite – this can be particularly helpful when providing care to a loved one living with dementia. Caregivers who participated in one study conducted on music therapy reported lower symptoms of depression and anxiety and felt that participating helped to strengthen relationships between themselves and their loved ones.
Aromatherapy
Dementia is a progressive brain disorder with severe cognitive decline that often results in decreased quality of life for both patients and caregivers due to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Dementia may also cause secondary complications like infections and falls leading to hospitalization or institutionalization for older adults. Aromatherapy has proven successful at improving QoL while decreasing BPSD symptoms significantly.
Aromatherapy uses aromatic plant fragrances distilled, extracted or reconstituted from various aromatic plants to promote physical and mental wellbeing. Aromatherapy has been practiced across cultures for centuries as an ancient healing modality or way to promote spiritual wellbeing; more recently however it is increasingly being proven effective against dementia as an effective form of healthcare treatment.
Studies demonstrate how certain scents can stimulate cognitive functions in the brain and alleviate agitation and aggression while improving sleep and mood. Furthermore, lavender and bergamot oils combined can reduce stress and depression among seniors with dementia.
Aromatherapy can be administered safely to people living with dementia and can be delivered in various forms: inhalation, skin absorption or acupressure massage. Before beginning an aromatherapy regime it is wise to consult your healthcare provider as to make sure it will not interact with any medications you are currently taking and for advice regarding what oils would best meet your individual needs and health condition as well as possible recommendations from them for certified aromatherapists or even how you could perform self-acupressure massage at home on yourself at home if applicable – plus they could also explain any potential risks or side effects should arise as essential oils should only come from reliable vendors with safety guidelines on labels attached by manufacturers for essential oil purchases.
Pet Therapy
Animals provide great companionship and companionship for humans, making pet therapy an excellent way to alleviate mood disorders and boost energy levels. Furthermore, pet therapy promotes interaction and builds social skills while decreasing dementia patient agitation – according to studies done with dementia patients at care facilities, interactions between pets and residents can significantly reduce “sundown syndrome,” an occurrence which impacts up to 90 percent.
Pet therapy sessions involve patients engaging with animals – usually dogs and cats – under the guidance of a handler, usually an animal-assisted intervention that falls within animal-assisted activities (AAA). Such animal-assisted interventions are increasingly being utilized within healthcare settings to enhance emotional and social well-being.
Petting a furry friend activates endorphins, the brain chemicals responsible for producing natural feelings of well-being and relieving pain. Interacting with pets has also been shown to lower blood pressure and enhance cardiovascular health, providing substantial advantages for those living with dementia.
Pet therapy provides seniors with an opportunity to interact safely with other seniors, giving them a purpose and sense of caring responsibility that may otherwise go unfulfilled. This benefit is particularly helpful for people living with dementia.
Mental health practitioners utilizing animal therapy must ensure the animal is appropriately trained and supervised before beginning, while taking into consideration ethical and legal concerns, such as protecting both patients and animals alike. While dogs and cats are most frequently seen used for therapy purposes, other species such as rabbits, birds and horses have also proven useful as therapy animals. It’s important that any animals used should also possess calm demeanor so as not to cause distress for patients and remain safe for everyone involved.
