Memory problems in dementia: adaptation and coping strategies and psychosocial treatments

Abstract

Memory problems are generally quite prominent in dementia and they have a significant impact on everyday functioning. Medication developed for Alzheimer's disease, for example, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, can slow down the increase of cognitive impairment for a while. In addition to pharmacotherapy, psychosocial treatment methods are also used, some of which have a positive effect on cognition, for example, cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation therapy and movement therapy. However, more research is needed. This article first describes the consequences of memory problems on the everyday life of people with dementia and summarizes research findings on how people with dementia experience and cope with their illness. We then discuss the most frequently applied psychosocial treatments for cognitive problems in dementia.

Methodological Considerations Regarding Cognitive Interventions in Dementia

“…However, this is often not easy to achieve, given the difficulty to recruit patients with similar clinical characteristics (e.g., dementia subtype, pharmacological treatment and doses, disease duration and severity, and caregiver support). Current reports usually consider really modest samples (Niu et al, 2010; Dröes et al, 2011; Viola et al, 2011). …”

Assets-based approaches and dementia-friendly communities

“…Social health acknowledges that the person can experience well-being despite a medical condition by maintaining a dynamic balance between opportunities and limitations in the context of social and environmental challenges (Huber et al, 2011). This approach is not new to dementia (Droes, van der Roest, van Mierlo, & Meiland, 2011), but recently has become more prominent by the proposition of Huber et al (2011) to reformulate the WHO definition of health with a focus on the ability of people to adapt and self-manage when living with a chronic condition. The three dimensions of social health are 'the capacity to fulfil one's potential and obligations', 'the ability to manage life with some degree of independence' and 'participation in social activities' as described by Huber et al Assistive technology devices for people with memory deficits are sometimes referred to as 'assistive devices for cognition', which are defined as 'any technology which compensates for cognitive deficit during task performance' (Gillespie, Best, & O'Neill, 2012, p. 2).…”

Meer kwaliteit van leven

“…behandeling van ontregelingen van het dagelijks leven. Bij lichte tot matig ernstige problematiek (of ter preventie) kan volstaan worden met psychosociale behandelings-en begeleidingsmethoden, 21,22 bij ernstiger gedrags-en stemmingsontregelingen zijn psychotherapeutische interventies beschikbaar en aangewezen. …”