As an occupational therapist, I worked with all ages, but over the course of my career I became passionate about caring for the elderly especially those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. I have compiled some of the most useful resources that I have posted over the last couple of years in one handy article.
The Occupational Therapy Toolkit includes 4 related treatment guides. Mild Cognitive Impairment, Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease, Mid Stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Late Stage Alzheimer’s Disease.
Enjoy!
Cheryl Hall, OT
Author and Illustrator
Occupational Therapy Toolkit
Alzheimer’s Disease – Articles From January 2010 to present
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Official Journal of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
Website
Behavior Disorders of Dementia: Recognition and Treatment
American Family Physician. 2006
Article
Guidelines for Managing Alzheimer’s Disease
American Family Physician. 2002
Part I. Assessment Article
Alzheimer’s Disease: Unraveling the Mystery
National Institute on Aging
An essential primer on Alzheimer’s disease, this 80-page publication describes how the brain works and how it changes with age in healthy people and people with Alzheimer’s. Research on causes, diagnosis, prevention, potential treatments, and caregiver support is summarized. Look for full-color illustrations, a glossary, and a list of resources.
PDF
Acute Hospitalization and Alzheimer’s Disease – A Special Kind of Care
National Institute on Aging
A new environment filled with strange sights, odors and sounds, a change in the daily routine, medications and tests, and the disease process itself can all be factors that increase confusion, anxiety and agitation in a hospitalized individual with Alzheimer’s disease.
PDF
Assessment and Scoring of Higher Functioning Patients
CPI
Using the LACLS and Routine Task Inventory
Website
Middle Stage Dementia
CPI
Learning to Identify Allen Level 3 Modes in Functional Activities
Website
Evaluating Driving Risk in Patients with Dementia
The Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology
Article
Driving: Recognizing Trouble Ahead
Video Caregiving
An analysis of what makes people with Alzheimer’s unsafe drivers.
Video
Communicating with Those Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease
Video Caregiving
Tactics and strategies for successfully communicating with Alzheimer’s patients
Video