Alzheimer’s Program Tackles Boredom by Tapping Interests
Today is World Alzheimer’s Day, so you may be hearing a lot about the search for a cure. But as that effort continues, another battle wages on a similar front: the fight to make life better for people who have Alzheimer’s right now.
In an article about nondrug treatments for Alzheimer’s, the Dayton Daily News in Ohio reports on one such effort. Researcher Govind Bharwani has developed a type of therapy that focuses on personalized activities, not just ones to keep people with Alzheimer’s busy. “Behavior problems come from boredom and disengagement,” Bharwani told the paper.
He worked with [St. Leonard Franciscan Living Community] and others, including his daughter, Meena, a consultant, to form the Behavior-Based Ergonomics Therapy. Staff members establish what interests patients have and match music or programming that keeps them engaged. The program has been adopted at facilities in several states, and Bharwani and his associates expect to expand the program to the outside community with next month’s opening of the Memory Resource Center at St. Leonard, where caregivers of any kind, not just facility staff, can go to offer the BBET program.
To find out what kinds of programs are offered in your area, seach for Alzheimer’s care options here, or give us a call at 1-866-483-4896.
You may also be interested in these previous OurParents posts about interesting types of Alzheimer’s care:
- Alzheimer’s, Storytelling and Purpose: Dementia Class Taps Into Imagination
- Man With Dementia Comes Out of His Shell After Switching Assisted-Living Communities
- Giving Sugar on Demand to People With Dementia? “Ludicrous,” Says Doctor
- Comfort-Centered Alzheimer’s Care Makes a Difference, Some Experts Say
- New Concepts in Memory Care: Pets, Kids and Clubs
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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.
