June 21st, 2009Music Therapy
There is ample eviodence that people with declining mental function can receive a great deal of pleasure from listening to music, both alone and with family members, and from group activities planned around singing. Even when verbal memory fades, the ability to recognize and remember music remains intact. Music therapists find that playing songs popular during a patients youth, or music associated with a particular time and place, jogs other memories and helps in retrieving past experiences.
Nutrition Therapy
Some proponents of vitamin therapy recommend high doses of antioxidants-vitamins A, C,and E and the mineral selenium to slow the progress of Alzheimer disease When consumer food, these nutrients help counter the damage of unstable molecules called free radicals, which are a by product of oxygen metabolism. As yet, there is no convincing scientific evidence hat antioxidants supplements can benefit Alzheimer’s patients or stave off other diseases of aging. A diet that emphasizes fruits vegetables, legumes, and grains provides ample antioxidants.
Pet Therapy
Nursing homes often provide gentle cat, dogs, or other animals for Alzheimer’s patients. Simply making contact with another living creature can be immensely comforting, and may improve human interaction.
Self Treatment
Following a set routine in a familiar environment helps Alzheimer’s patients cope with the early stages of memory loss. Unavoidable changes should be made gradually to avoid disorientation and i infusion I. or example, many patients suddenly become incontinent when they are hospitalized or moved to a New plate often, they simply don’t know how to find the bathroom, and the problem elves itself when they return to a familiar setting. In the early stages of memory loss, some Alzheimer patients write notes to the mselve and post them in obvious places. This eases some of the anxiety over forgetting important tasks and appointment. family members can coax memories by recalling past events, going through old photo albums, or accompanying the patient on an outing to a former neighborhoods.
Other Cause of Dementia
During the diagnostic process, disorders that Should be ruled out include alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, depression, overuse of tranquilizers and other drugs affecting mental function,a brain tumor, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and circulatory problems.
