Using Occupations to Improve Quality of Life, Health and Wellness, and Client and Caregiver Satisfaction for People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Abstract

An evidence-based review was undertaken to answer the question, "What is the evidence for the effect of interventions designed to establish, modify, and maintain activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), leisure, and social participation on quality of life (QOL), health and wellness, and client and caregiver satisfaction for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias?" A systematic search of electronic databases and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria guided the selection of 26 articles. Limited high-level evidence on ADL interventions was identified. IADL interventions for people living in the community showed promise. Tailored and activity-based leisure interventions were common and seemed to have positive impacts on caregiver satisfaction, and some interventions had positive results for client well-being and QOL. Social participation interventions focused on people with dementia still able to engage in verbal social interactions; these interventions had at least short-term positive effects.

Factors influencing quality of life of elderly people with dementia and care implications: A systematic review

“…Occurrence of challenging behaviours such as physical aggressive behaviours are recognised as another adverse predictor in QoL rating (Grske et al, 2014;Winzelberg et al, 2005;. 20 The influences of physical activities on QoL for elderly people with dementia were identified by five studies (Potter et al, 2011;Beerens et al, 2014;Letts et al, 2011;Silberfeld et al, 2002;Orpwood et al, 2007). The results indicate that active participation into daily physical activities has a positive effect on QoL in elderly people with dementia.…”

“…George (2010) examined the relationship between international volunteering experience of elderly people with dementia (hour-long visits with a kindergarten classroom) and their QoL. Letts et al (2011) explored the association between volunteer visit to elderly people with dementia and the QoL. Both two studies indicate that volunteering benefits improving QoL in elderly people with dementia.…”

“…Although several previous studies (Beerens et al, 2013;Letts et al, 2011;O'Rourke et al, 2015) have conducted systematic reviews in terms of factors influencing QoL of people with dementia, all of them just focused on one special aspect in relation to the influencing factors. For example, Beerens et al (2013) only paid attention to factors associated with QoL of people with dementia in long-term care facilities, and O' Rourke et al (2015) only reviewed the factors that influence the QoL from the perspective of people with dementia.…”

“…Social connection with family, community and nature, such as gathering and talking with family, friends, and neighbours (Marventano et al, 2015;Moyle et al, 2015;Moyle et al, 2011;O'Rourke et al, 2015;Castillo et al, 2010;Gräske et al, 2015;Byrne et al, 2006;Orpwood et al, 2007), access to nature (Orpwood et al, 2007), and participation in social activities like organised outside activities (Moyle et al, 2015;Silberfeld et al, 2002;Orpwood et al, 2007), contribute to a higher level of QoL for 23 elderly people with dementia. Besides, two studies (George, 2010;Letts et al, 2011) explored the role of volunteering in QoL for elderly people with dementia. George (2010) examined the relationship between international volunteering experience of elderly people with dementia (hour-long visits with a kindergarten classroom) and their QoL.…”

Systematic Review of the Effects of Exercise on Activities of Daily Living in People With Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Interventions aimed at maintaining independence in ADLs in people with AD typically use occupations such as functional ADL training, instrumental ADL (IADL) training, and leisure and social activity training (Letts et al, 2011). Although physical training is a routine part of occupational therapy practice, its effect has been examined primarily on physical outcomes such as fall prevention (Jensen & Padilla, 2011).…”