Although new drugs have been approved in the last few years to slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, other drugs are often prescribed to treat symptoms that present in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and in other types of dementia.
In some cases, psychotropics are prescribed off-label, meaning they aren’t approved for treating the conditions for which they’ve been prescribed. For instance, doctors may prescribe antipsychotic or antianxiety medications to address symptoms such as hallucinations, agitation, aggression, and mood swings. But these commonly used therapies for dementia don’t always have the desired effect. In some people, they can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and death.
Even milder side effects, such as drowsiness, disorientation, and dizziness, can be devastating for older adults. A fall can result in serious injuries that may require surgery, and that in turn can cause dementia to progress.
Nonpharmacological Treatment for Dementia
While for some people effective dementia therapy may include prescription medications, at Park Senior Villas we’ve found that alternative therapies for dementia can, in many cases, successfully treat symptoms without the dangerous side effects associated with certain psychotropic drugs.
Our dementia interventions are based on a person-centered approach. This involves getting to know not only what works and doesn’t work for each resident, but also learning more about the resident, such as:
- What they enjoy doing and what makes them happy
- What their habits are and what routines they like to follow
- What type of career they had or work they did in the past
- What sort of pastimes and hobbies they used to engage in
- What triggers their anxiety or aggression
- Which of their memories and activities have a calming effect
We can get a lot of this information from the resident’s family as part of the admission process, but much of it also comes from spending quality one-on-one time with them every day.
Alternative Therapies for Dementia at Park Senior Villas
The main objective of our memory care program is to create the most pleasant environment for residents as possible. By focusing on their abilities and interests, we can create interventions for dementia that are unique for each resident.
As an example, a resident in one of our Tucson communities used to be an elevator mechanic. After spending time with him, we discovered that he still likes to “repair” things by taking them apart. Now, our caregivers will offer him small objects to disassemble and then ask if he can fix them. While a personalized intervention like this may not seem like much, it has made a big difference. Before, he used to fall frequently, had wandering behaviors, and occasionally would become aggressive. Now there’s none of that.
Some residents, including those who were homemakers, enjoy helping with small tasks around the villas, like mixing ingredients for cookies or cupcakes and then decorating the baked goods after they’ve cooled. Others like to fold laundry. Pitching in makes them happy because they feel useful and productive.
Art therapy is another intervention we use with memory care residents, in small groups and one-on-one sessions. We offer them a choice of paints, markers, chalk, and other media to express their artistic flair. If they want to chat while they’re creating, our caregivers are there to listen.
For years, we’ve had great success using music therapy for dementia, including weekly music sessions and our drumming program. Karaoke is also a favorite activity among residents at Park Senior Villas, whether they’re with us for assisted living or memory care. Those who are reluctant to participate will oftentimes observe at first. Then, when they’re ready, they’ll usually open up and join in the fun.
We also use memory games, adapting them to match each resident’s mental abilities. In a group setting, we make sure the games include varying degrees of difficulty so that all residents can participate if they want to.
Exercise is another intervention that works well with some residents. Our courtyards are a safe, secure place where residents can go for walks with a staff member, either individually or in small groups. These are good opportunities for residents to engage in conversation if they’re so inclined.
It’s all about tailoring interventions — and the environment, to the extent possible — so each resident feels included, respected, and at ease. This is their home, after all, and it’s our job to help them feel comfortable.
Nonpharmaceutical Interventions To Address Dementia-Related Challenges
In the past, sedatives were frequently used to calm people with dementia if they started to exhibit signs of aggression, escalating agitation, or other behaviors deemed difficult to manage. In some settings, sedatives and other drugs are still used today to treat these and other dementia symptoms.
At Park Senior Villas, we always do our best to prioritize nonpharmacological interventions for dementia. To support this goal, we’ve forged a relationship with Linda Buscemi and the company she co-founded, TapRoot Interventions & Solutions. Linda is a psychologist and licensed behavioral health specialist who focuses on interventions for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Two years ago, our caregivers started using TapRoot’s elbi™, an artificial intelligence-powered mobile app that provides personalized recommendations for engaging with residents who have dementia. Specific recommendations are based on each resident’s personal history, which family members provide in a comprehensive questionnaire at in-take. Over the years the app’s technology has progressed and is now providing even more detailed recommendations for each resident. Elbi has shown 87% effectiveness in de-escalating challenging reactions.
Recommendations might include suggestions for redirecting the resident, a technique in which the caregiver shifts the resident’s focus away from thoughts and feelings that are causing distress by introducing a different topic or activity. The app might also recommend something like taking the resident outside for a walk and a change of scenery.
Knowing the resident’s interests and preferences can be especially helpful in these situations, and all of that information is readily available to caregivers in the Elbi app. Our partnership with Linda and TapRoot has truly been a game-changer for us — and the residents we serve.
Want To Know More?
We invite you to contact us for more information on our unique approach to care. If you’d like to see us in action, we’ll be happy to set up a time for you to visit any of our four locations.
Featured Image: belushi / Shutterstock
