Background Individuals with Alzheimer disease or related dementia represent a significant and growing segment of the older adult (aged 65 years and above) population. In addition to physical health concerns, including comorbid medical conditions, these individuals often exhibit behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The presence of BPSD in long-term care residential facilities can disrupt resident’s care and impact staff. Nonpharmacological interventions such as personalized music and tablet engagement maintain cognitive function, improve quality of life (QOL), and mitigate BPSD for older adults with dementia. Evidence of the impact of such interventions in assisted living communities (ALCs) is needed for widespread adoption and sustainment of these technologies. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Music & Memory’s personalized music and tablet engagement (PMATE) program on QOL, agitation, and medication use for residents living in 6 Wisconsin ALCs. Methods The data collected were on the utilization of iPods and iPads by the residents. Residents’ outcomes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale, the Quality of Life in Late Stage Dementia scale, and self-reported medication use. A mixed-methods approach was utilized to examine the impact of the PMATE program on these outcomes. Descriptive statistics were calculated. A paired t test explored changes in residents’ QOL. A 1-way analysis of variance was utilized to examine changes in resident’s agitation and QOL based on the resident’s utilization of the PMATE program. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the individuals responsible for PMATE implementation in the ALC. Residents excluded from the analysis were those who passed away, were discharged, or refused to participate. Results A total of 5 apps, based on average times used by residents, were identified. In all, 4 of the 5 apps were rated as being useful to promote residents’ engagement. PMATE utilization was not associated with changes in the residents’ agitation levels or antipsychotic medication use over time. Over a 3-month period, the change in residents’ QOL was significant ( P =.047), and the differences across ALCs were also significant ( F 25 =3.76, P =.02). High utilizers of the PMATE program (>2500 min over 3 months) showed greater improvements in QOL as compared with low utilizers (a change of −5.90 points vs an increase of 0.43 points). The difference was significant ( P =.03). Similar significant findings were found between the high- and midutilizers. Conclusions The study is one of the first to explore the impact of Music & Memory’s PMATE program on residents living in ALCs. Findings suggest that higher utilization over time improves residents’ QOL. However, a ...

BACKGROUND Individuals with Alzheimer disease or related dementia represent a significant and growing segment of the older adult (aged 65 years and above) population. In addition to physical health concerns, including comorbid medical conditions, these individuals often exhibit behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The presence of BPSD in long-term care residential facilities can disrupt resident’s care and impact staff. Nonpharmacological interventions such as personalized music and tablet engagement maintain cognitive function, improve quality of life (QOL), and mitigate BPSD for older adults with dementia. Evidence of the impact of such interventions in assisted living communities (ALCs) is needed for widespread adoption and sustainment of these technologies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Music & Memory’s personalized music and tablet engagement (PMATE) program on QOL, agitation, and medication use for residents living in 6 Wisconsin ALCs. METHODS The data collected were on the utilization of iPods and iPads by the residents. Residents’ outcomes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale, the Quality of Life in Late Stage Dementia scale, and self-reported medication use. A mixed-methods approach was utilized to examine the impact of the PMATE program on these outcomes. Descriptive statistics were calculated. A paired t test explored changes in residents’ QOL. A 1-way analysis of variance was utilized to examine changes in resident’s agitation and QOL based on the resident’s utilization of the PMATE program. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the individuals responsible for PMATE implementation in the ALC. Residents excluded from the analysis were those who passed away, were discharged, or refused to participate. RESULTS A total of 5 apps, based on average times used by residents, were identified. In all, 4 of the 5 apps were rated as being useful to promote residents’ engagement. PMATE utilization was not associated with changes in the residents’ agitation levels or antipsychotic medication use over time. Over a 3-month period, the change in residents’ QOL was significant (P=.047), and the differences across ALCs were also significant (F25=3.76, P=.02). High utilizers of the PMATE program (>2500 min over 3 months) showed greater improvements in QOL as compared with low utilizers (a change of −5.90 points vs an increase of 0.43 points). The difference was significant (P=.03). Similar significant findings were found between the high- and midutilizers. CONCLUSIONS The study is one of the first to explore the impact of Music & Memory’s PMATE program on residents living in ALCs. Findings suggest that higher utilization over time improves residents’ QOL. However, a more comprehensive study with improved data collection efforts across multiple ALCs is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

High Risk and Low Average/poor Memory class were at an elevated risk of developing incident dementia (HR ¼ 13.6, 95%CI ¼ 5.9 -31.2 and HR ¼ 5.8, 95%CI ¼ 2.6 -12.8) and incident AD (HR ¼ 11.1, 95%CI ¼ 4.7 -25.9, and HR ¼ 5.0, 95%CI ¼ 2.2 -11.2) in the first four years from baseline assessment, while participants in the Dysexecutive Function class were at an elevated risk for incident all-cause dementia and incident AD after four years of follow-up (HR ¼ 6.0, 95%CI ¼ 2.5 -14.3, and HR ¼ 7.1, 95%CI ¼ 2.7 -18.4). Results in the Elite class were not applicable in the first 4 years since there were no cases and, after 4 years results were not significant (there were only 5 cases in total). Conclusions: This study highlights the clinical applicability of the association between a patient's cognitive profile and future risk of all-cause dementia and AD. This area of research may lead to personalized risk profiles.

improvement at discharge (n ¼ 120). Ninety-two percent for which the safety score indicated safety risk at evaluation (n ¼ 142), showed decreased risk at discharge (n ¼ 131). Of the 146 problem areas identified by caregivers, the majority (n ¼ 95, 65%) were related to behavioral symptoms, of which 93% were reduced or eliminated. Overall, at discharge caregivers reported increased confidence in handling most problem areas (n ¼ 140, 96%) with less upset (n ¼ 128, 88%). Readiness to implement care strategies improved in 89% of the caregivers. Conclusion: Implementation of Skills2Care in a home-based OT intervention showed positive outcomes. Sustainability is possible through Medicare Part B reimbursement. Occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to provide caregiver training while optimizing function and safety for the person with dementia.Background: It is estimated that 250,000 children and young adults in the U.S. provide care to family members with dementia[1]. Research increasingly demonstrates that lifestyle choices throughout life affect later brain health. This knowledge provided the impetus for the Wisconsin Departments of Health Services and Public Instruction to develop the Brain Health curriculum. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the curriculum, summarize the results of a pilot study implementing the curriculum, and discuss implications for the future. Using an inquiry-based approach to curriculum development in partnership with the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, the Wisconsin Music and MemoryÔ program, and the Clark Street Community School, the Brain Health unit was created to help youth understand dementia and how to reduce their own risk of developing dementia. The curriculum helps to reduce the stigma of dementia, and provides insight into effective communication strategies and responses to behavioral symptoms. The unit also includes information on the effect of music on the brain, and how a love of music can be a connection between generations. The pilot took place at the Clark Street Community School in Middleton, Wisconsin in the spring of 2015 with a seminar of twenty-three high school students. The seminar occurred three days per week over a three-week period. Classroom material was supplemented with community engagement activities, including a visit to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center to learn directly from researchers; and to a skilled nursing facility to learn directly from people with dementia. Learning outcomes showed the students' understanding of normal aging and dementia improved. The educators providing the seminar also improved in their understanding of these topics. Results from our initial piloting of the Brain Health unit are encouraging: the teacher found it easy to incorporate into his seminar, students enjoyed the materials and found them relevant, and students demonstrated improvements in outcomes targeted by the curriculum. Future directions include incorporating the curriculum in other subjects (e.g., health, physical education, or psychology) and...

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