The Benefits of Occupational and Behavioral Therapy for Alzheimer’s

When your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease (AD), you may despair at their increasing confusion, memory loss, and lack of orientation. Medications manage symptoms, but behavioral and occupational therapies help everyone adjust to new realities.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating, incurable, progressive disease that affects your ability to remember, process information, and regulate your emotions.

Early AD may be marked by symptoms such as repeating conversations over and over or forgetting key people in your life. Severe disease leads to loss of muscle control and, eventually, death.

Although AD usually affects women and men over the age of 65, even young people in their 30s or 40s can develop the disease.

In fact, between 2013 and 2020, the rate of early-onset dementia (defined as ages 30-64) jumped by more than 200% in the United States, from 4.2 to 12.6 in every 10,000 adults.

If someone you love develops AD, you may feel at wit’s end, trying to help them manage their life as it increasingly spins out of their control. Not only do some medications help slow the disease progression and manage symptoms, behavioral and occupational therapies can help, too.

At Precise Research Centers, our founder, Joseph Kwentus, MD, is dedicated to helping people with AD and their families live productive, happy lives for as long as possible.

In addition to running clinical trials for new medications that help with AD symptoms at our offices in Flowood, Mississippi, we offer occupational and behavioral therapies.

Would your loved one with AD benefit from occupational or behavioral therapies? Here’s how they may help you.

Occupational therapy sets up a structure

When someone has AD, normal tasks of living may become challenging. They may have trouble understanding the time of day, when meals are to be eaten, and when to shower or brush their teeth.

An occupational therapist works with a client to help them develop a set schedule with structures in place that provide orienting reminders. For instance, if your loved one falls asleep during the day, they may structure in a specific nap time so daytime nap time doesn’t interfere with nighttime sleep.

They may also create large labels and signs that help orient your loved one. One tool that is helpful is a memory book, which contains photographs and labels that help your loved one orient to:

Self, location, and purpose
Family and friends
Medical history and status
Daily schedule, activities of daily living, etc.

A memory book can help them decrease anxiety and increase independence. It may also reduce the number of repetitive questions, because they simply turn to their book when they get confused.

Occupational therapy addresses risks

If your loved one is at risk for a fall, the occupational therapy may recommend equipment, such as grab bars or walking assists, that help them get around safely. They may make recommendations such as taking up loose rugs or rearranging furniture to reduce the chance of a fall.

They can also assess your loved one to determine if they’re still safe behind the wheel. If not, they can help you locate alternative transportation.

Behavioral therapy helps manage mood

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful in the early stages of AD for the patient and may continue to be of use for their family. Dealing with AD, either as a patient or a family member, can be stressful and challenging.

By learning reframing techniques in CBT, a patient with AD may be better able to manage depression and anxiety, which frequently accompanies the disease. Family members can learn how to respond more helpfully to their loved one’s distress.

Behavioral therapies keep them strong and engaged

Other types of behavioral therapy may involve exercises to strengthen their core and legs to reduce the chances of falls. Exercise also stimulates blood flow to the brain, and can help control high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Your loved one might also benefit from art therapy, music therapy, or crafts. Engaging in hobbies or learning a new skill can help them feel calm, engaged, and purposeful.

Does your loved one have AD or seem to be in the early stages of dementia? Find out if they’re eligible for a clinical trial of new medications as well as occupational and behavioral therapies.

Call us at 601-685-3457 or book an appointment online. You can also send a message to our team on the website.

We have ongoing clinical trials with new medications, as well as traditional talk therapies and other behavioral interventions. Clinical trials, including supportive therapies, are free of charge.