Rehabilitation in Dementia

Abstract

Dementia is an eurodegenerative disorder, which causes significant disability, especially among the elderly population worldwide. The affected person shows a progressive cognitive decline, which interferes with the independence in performing the activities of daily living. Other than the cognitive domain, the patient tends to have neuropsychiatric, behavioral, sensorimotor, speech, and language-related issues. It is expected that the global burden of the disease will rise with more people entering the geriatric age group. By 2050 close, to 140 million people will be living with one or the other type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease contributes to more than 60% of cases worldwide, followed by vascular dementia. Pharmacotherapy has a limited role to play in the treatment, and at present, no drug is available, which can halt or reverse the progress of the disease. World Health Organization has mandated rehabilitation as a core recommendation in the global action plan on the public health response to dementia. Rehabilitation services are widely recognized as a practical framework to maximize independence and community participation in dementia care. The rehabilitation program is customized to achieve the desired goals, as each person has different experiences, preferences, motivations, strengths, and requirements based on type, course, and severity of the illness. It is an interdisciplinary-team approach with the involvement of several health care professionals. This article reviews the existing literature and outlines the effective rehabilitation strategies concisely in dementia care.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation approach in ataxia telangiectasia syndrome: A case report

“…Both children with and without disabilities benefit from participation in daily activities, which also has a significant impact on their health and well-being. 15,17 In a present case report, no major changes were observed in the Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM). Before starting the physical therapy program, our subject had no significant cognitive problems and was an excellent communicator.…”

Current trends in psychotherapies and psychosocial interventions for people with dementia: a scoping review of randomized controlled trials

“…Combined methods, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, have shown significant promise in improving functionality for individuals with dementia. These comprehensive strategies have the potential to slow the progression of the disease, helping individuals maintain their abilities and engage in meaningful activities for a more extended period ( 16 ).…”

Caracterização do desempenho em diferentes tarefas motoras em pessoas com demência – o funcionamento executivo como determinante

“…A demência é frequentemente caracterizada por alterações precoces na memória episódica, o que posteriormente compromete diferentes domínios cognitivos, a linguagem, a função executiva e as habilidades visuoespaciais (Gupta et al, 2021). Estas alterações originam um conjunto de desafios no processo de reabilitação, em específico das funções sensório-motoras.…”