1. “Community Recreation for Participants with Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: Research and Program Ideas”
Tyler Tapps MS

2. Dementia Primary cause for admission to institutional care
Alzheimer’s type (more than 50% of dementia cases)
4th leading cause of death (150,000) per year
Age Prevalence % % %
Institutions % to 70% (Cohen, 2008).

3. Dementia Presence of at least 2
Impaired short-term memory
Impaired handling of complex tasks
Impaired reasoning ability
Impaired orientation
Impaired language
Causes can be predicted up to 90% accuracy
Common Types of Dementia
Alzheimer’s
Vascular
Alcohol and Drug induced

4. Keys! Different stages Misconceptions of Alzheimer’s
Common Risk factors
What occurs
Programs that work

5. What are the 3 stages of Alzheimer’s?
STAGE I: Normal function
Symptoms Developed
Less Initiative
Tired
Unwilling to try new things
Forget familiar words or names, KEYS!
Give up favorite activities ***
Family makes excuses for behavior change ***

6. What are the 3 stages of Alzheimer’s?
STAGE II: Mild Cognitive decline
Individuals feel as if they have memory lapses
Problems not always evident during medical exam
Stage 1 is pronounced
Person is identified as “someone else”
May require supervision

7. What are the 3 stages of Alzheimer’s?
STAGE III: Terminal Stage
Body weak
Incontinence sets in (more common in women)
Need total help with care
Unable to communicate effectively
Bedridden
Nursing home care

8. A few misconceptions of Alzheimer’s or what it is NOT
Normal Aging
Mental retardation
Mental Laziness
Vitamin Deficiency
Brought on by stress
Emotional Illness
Preventable or Curable

9. STAGES SUMMARY
Lose of memory
Loss of thought
Loss of function

10. Most Common Risk Factors
Age
Female Sex
Heredity
Head Injury

11. Alzheimer’s and the brain
Alzheimer’s changes the whole brain
Research has shown that we can begin to develop Alzheimer’s before age 25.
Example:

12. Brain Comparison

13. How do we treat Alzheimer’s
While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or for most other causes of dementia
We must focus on:
Depression
Loneliness
Restlessness
Anxiety – patient and caregiver

14. Programming Assessment is the Key!
Work with primary caregiver to find out what they enjoy
Utilize this information to build programs for caregiver and those diagnosed
Should be short and stimulating, usually no longer than 15 minutes.

15. Programs Playing music of the person's choosing;
One-on-one interaction
Playing videotapes of family members
Walking and light exercise
Pet therapy
Programs that promote advocacy for individuals and the need to research the disease
WiiHab – Tested here in Stillwater, Positive affect
Cane aerobics/self-defense

16. Programs Color Coding Beads Creating of Necklaces/stringing activities
Scrapbooking/photoalbums
Sorting: Such as Buttons (different sizes and colors), poker chips, balls, bottle caps, forks, spoons, rocks…WATCH so they do not eat.
Show and Tell – Very Popular
Riddle Clubs/Joke Clubs

17. Joanne Wayne
Joanne Wayne Born: 1934 in Stannford, Texas
Wayne pedals a stationary bike every day for 30 minutes and stays active by volunteering all over town. From working with chemotherapy patients at a hospital to chairing a local United Way committee, Wayne stays busy. And to relax? "I knit," says Wayne. "It gives my mind time to let go."

18. Bob Michael Bob Michael Born: 1919 in San Angelo, Texas
Michael walks on a treadmill three times a week and keeps up to date on the news, reading two newspapers each day. Besides frequently attending concerts and theater performances.

19. Minnie
Minnie Segel Born: 1916 in Minneapolis
She walks when she's able to and stays active by attending the theater, doing ceramics, watching television shows that challenge her mind and going to social events that promote human connection.

20. Edith Springer
Edith Springer Born: 1913 in the Lower East Side of New York City
Springer takes a long walk at least twice a week and stays active by volunteering at a local library. "I love to volunteer, and they like having me," Springer says. "I feel like a queen when I go in there. They're so thoughtful and appreciative of what I do."