Alzheimer’s Care: How Occupational Therapists Help Patients and Caregivers

Anakha Pisharody- Occupational Therapist, Prayatna, Kochi

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects millions of people worldwide. In India alone, over 4 million individuals are affected by various types of dementia, and globally, this number reaches nearly 44 million. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 55 million people live with dementia, making it the 7th leading cause of death and a major cause of dependency among older people.

According to a Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2018-2020) 7.4% of people aged 60 and above, approximately 8.8 million individuals in India, are living with dementia. As the aging population grows, understanding how to manage and support those with Alzheimer’s disease becomes critical. One essential player in Alzheimer’s management is the occupational therapist (OT), whose role is to help patients maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that primarily affects memory, thinking, and daily functioning. As the disease progresses, individuals struggle to recall recent events, forget names and faces, and may become disoriented in familiar places. The cognitive decline can severely impact daily activities such as cooking, bathing, or even dressing. Behavioral changes like frustration, confusion, and agitation are common as individuals face increasing difficulty in managing their daily tasks like dressing or cooking. It will affect their decision -making, such as forgetting food on the stove and not knowing what to do next, what to do if they lost their way.
With no cure for Alzheimer’s, the primary focus is on managing symptoms and providing support. This is where occupational therapy plays a crucial role.

The Role of Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy is essential in helping individuals with Alzheimer’s manage their day-to-day activities, maintain routines, and engage in meaningful occupations or hobbies. OTs focus on enabling patients to lead as independent a life as possible, despite their cognitive limitations. Their holistic approach ensures that both the patient and their family benefit, reducing the burden on caregivers and improving the patient’s quality of life.

How Occupational Therapists Help Alzheimer’s Patients:

1.⁠ ⁠Evaluation of Daily Life Activities: OTs assess a patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, cooking, or managing medication. Based on this assessment, they create a personalized plan to help the patient regain or maintain their independence.

2.⁠ ⁠Enhancing Functional Skills: Through various techniques, therapists work to restore a patient’s capabilities. For example, An OT may break down the task of brushing teeth into simple steps, providing visual or verbal cues to guide the patient through the process. This helps the patient stay engaged in self-care activities while reducing frustration

3.⁠ ⁠Building Confidence: Occupational therapists encourage Alzheimer’s patients to maintain a regular routine, which can help reduce anxiety and confusion and boosting the patient’s confidence by setting achievable goals. This helps the patient maintain a sense of purpose and reduces frustration.

4.⁠ ⁠Environmental Modifications: OTs assess the home environment to ensure it is safe and supportive. This may include recommending adjustments like labeling rooms or objects, avoiding rugs or mats and keeping floors clear and uncluttered, providing mobility aids etc, Better lighting can reduce confusion and the risk of falls. Using automatic lights prevents falls at night.

Caregiver Education and Support
One of the most significant aspects of OT is the support provided to caregivers. Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient can be physically and emotionally demanding. OTs educate caregivers on how to manage challenging behaviors, communicate effectively with the patient, and simplify daily care tasks. This reduces caregiver burnout and improves the overall caregiving experience.

Alzheimer’s disease presents complex challenges, but with the help of occupational therapy, by focusing on daily life activities, routines, and holistic care, OTs play a vital role in improving the lives of both patients and their caregivers.

Prepared by: Anakha Pisharody- Occupational Therapist, Prayatna, Kochi