Nutritional deficiency can have dramatic effects on the physical and psychological status of older adults. Although food supplements can enhance nutritional status, several authors suggest that more ecological means could also have beneficial impacts. Therefore, a natural experiment was conducted to study the impact of changed mealtime experiences for people with Alzheimer-type dementia. Two special care units (in separate facilities) in France were included in this study: one implemented shared meal times between residents and caregivers and the other served as a comparison group. Weight was measured and staff observations were collected. Positive outcomes were observed for the experimental group. Implications for practice are discussed.

SUMMARY Eval’zheimer® is a psychosocial model of intervention intended to fit caring practices and environmental design to institutionalized people with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. This model is based on the general finding that nonpharmacological factors such as interior design and architectural characteristics of environments can help reduce symptoms of people with Alzheimer’s disease and enhance quality of life. This article briefly describes the model and illustrates how aspects such as dementia-friendly environments, culture and domesticity are key factors for such an intervention. These aspects are approached in terms of both physical and social environmental changes. General results of an evaluation study of the model of intervention and perspectives on environmental management of Alzheimer’s disease are briefly described and discussed.

Évaluation des interventions psychosociales pour la maladie d'Alzheimer : quelles leç ons tirer des méta-analyses de la Cochrane Library ?

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