Resources on Dementia Interventions

Topics are organized alphabetically.

Activity Program
Acupressure
Aroma Therapy
Behavioral Programming
Communication Programs
Environmental Modification
Gentlecare
Horticulture
Massage
Memory Aids
Miscellaneous
Music Therapy
Music Therapy & Massage
Nutritional Supplements/Meal Modification
Pain management
Pet Therapy
Reminiscence
Rocking Chair Therapy
Snoezelen
Therapeutic Touch
Therapeutic Touch & Massage
Validation Therapy

Activity Program

Bowlby, Carol. (1993). Therapeutic activities with persons disabled by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers.

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Acupressure

Chen, Y. (1992,) Clincial research on treating senile dementia by combining acupuncture with acupoint-injection. Acupuncture & Electrotherapeutics Research, 17(2), 61-73.

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Aroma Therapy

Journal Articles

Holmes, C., Hopkins, V., Hensford, C., MacLaughlin, V., Wilkinson, D., & Rosenvinge, H. (2002). Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behavior in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17(4), 305-308.
Flanagan, N. (1995) The clinical use of aromatherapy in Alzheimer’s patients. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 377-80.
MacMahon, S., & Kermode, S. (1998). A clinical trial of the effect of aromatherapy on motivational behavior in a dementia care setting using a single subject design. Aust J Holist Nurs, 5(2) 47-49.
Maloney, C.C. & Daily, T. (1986) Eclectic group program for nursing home residents with dementia. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 4(3), 55-80.
Tobin, P. (1995) Aromatherapy and its application in the management of people with dementia. Lamp, 52(5), 34.

Websites

“Aromatherapy: The impact on symptoms and wellbeing of those with advanced dementia,” Mental Health in Later Life website. Full report available as a PDF document.

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Behavioral Programming

Cohen-Mansfield, J., Werner, P., Culpepper, W. J. n., & Barkley, D. (1997). Evaluation of an in-service training program on dementia and wandering. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 23(10), 40-47.
Cohn, Margaret. (1994) The A-B-Cs of Behavior Change: Skills for Working with Behavior Problems in Nursing Homes. State College, Pennsylvania: Venture Pub.
DeYoung, S., Just, G., & Harrison, R. (2002). Decreasing aggressive, agitated, or disruptive behavior: participation in a behavior management unit. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 28(6), 22-31.
Hagen, B., & Sayers, D. (1995) When Caring Leaves Bruises: The Effects of Staff Education on Resident Aggression. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 21(11), 7-17.
Kaasalainen, S. (2002). Staff development and long-term care of patients with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 28(7), 39-46.
Kaplan, M., & Hoffman, S. (1998) Behaviors in Dementia: Best Practices for Successful Management. Baltimore, Maryland: Health Professions Press.
Mintzer, J. E. et al. (1997). Effectiveness of a continuum of care using brief and partial hospitalization for agitated dementia patients. Psychiatr Serv, 48(11), 1435-1439.

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Communication Programs

Santo Pietro, M.J., & Boczko, F. (1998) Results of a study examining the effectiveness of a multi-modality group communication treatment. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease,146-158.
Tappen, R., et. al. (1997) Communicating with individuals with Alzheimer's disease: examination of recommended strategies. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 11(5), 249-256.
Touzinsky, L. (1998) Validation Therapy: restoring communication between persons with Alzheimer's disease and their families. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(2), 96-101.
http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/communication.html

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Environmental Modification

Eriksson, S. (2000). Impact of the environment on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 12(Suppl1), 89-91.
Kittur, S. D., & Ruskin, P. (1999). Environmental modification for treatment +of agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. NeuroRehabilitation-, 12, 211-214.
Luxenberg, J. S. (1997). Environmental Modifications Tailored for the Dementia Patient. Semin Clin Neuropsychiatry, 2(2), 132-137.

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Gentlecare

(1997) Gentlecare: changing the experience of Alzheimer disease in a positive way, Bibliotheca medica Canadiana. 18(4), 1.

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Horticulture

Bassen, S., & Baltazar, V. (1997). Flowers, flowers everywhere: creative horticulture programming at the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale. Geriatric Nursing, 18(2), 53-56.
Ebel, S. (1991) Designing stage-specific horticulture therapy interventions for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 5.
Hewson, M.L.(1995) Plant projects for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Gaithersburg, MD: American Horticulture Association, 1995.
Hoover, R. (1995) Healing gardens & Alzheimer’s disease. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 10(2), 1-9.

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Massage

Mayers, K. (1994) Calming the agitated demented patient: use of self-soothing techniques. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Care and Related Disorders & Research, 9(4), 2-5.
Nelson, D. (1995) The use of massage therapy in Alzheimer’s care. Massage Magazine, 35(1).
Rowe, M., & Alfred, D. (1999). The effectiveness of slow-stroke massage in diffusing agitated behaviors in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 25(6), 22-34.
Snyder, M., Egan, El. C., & Burns, K.R. (1995). Efficacy of hand massage in decreasing agitation behaviors associated with care activities in persons with dementia. Geriatric Nursing, 16(2), 60-63.
Snyder, M., Egan, E.C., & Burns, K.R. (1995) Interventions for decreasing agitation behaviors in persons with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 21(7), 34-40.

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Memory Aids

Bourgeois, M. S. (1990). Enhancing conversation skills in patients with Alzheimer's disease using a prosthetic memory aid. J Appl Behav Anal, 23(1), 29-42.
Camp, C. J, Foss, J. W., O'Hanlon, A. M., & Stevens, A. B. (1996). Memory interventions for persons with dementia. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 10(3), 193-210.
Cherry, K. E., Simmons, D'Gerolamo., & Shannon. S. (1999). Effects of a target object orientation task on recall in older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease. Clinical-Gerontologist, 20(4), 39-63.
Clare, L., Wilson, B. A., Carter, G., Breen, K., Gosses, A., & Hodges, J. R. (2000). Intervening with everyday memory problems in dementia of Alzheimer type: an errorless learning approach. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 22(1), 132-146.
Namazi, K. H., Rosner, T. T., & Rechlin, L. (1991). Long-term memory cuing to reduce visuo-spatial disorientation in Alzheimer's disease patients in a special care unit. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care and Related Disorders and Research, 6(6), 10-15.
McPherson, A. F., Sdogati,C., Cesaroni,F., Tartaglini,B., & Lindesay,J. (2001). Effects of individualized memory aids on the conversation of persons with severe dementia: A pilot study. Aging and Mental Health, 5(3), 289-294.
Nolan, B. A. D., Mathews, R. M., & Harrison, M. (2001). Using external memory aids to increase room finding by older adults with dementia. Activities-Directors' Quarterly for Alzheimer's and Other Dementia Patients, 2(4), 13-17.
Werner, P. (2000). Assessing the effectiveness of a memory club for elderly persons suffering from mild cognitive deterioration. Clinical Gerontologist, 22, 3-14.

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Miscellaneous

Finnema, E.J., et al. (1998). The design of a large-scale experimental study into the effect of emotion-oriented care on demented elderly and professional careers in nursing homes. Archives-of-Gerontology-and-Geriatrics, Supple 6, 193-200.
Kovach, C. R., Weissman, D. E., Griffie, J., Matson, S., & Muchka, S. (1999). Assessment and treatment of discomfort for people with late-stage dementia. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 18(6), 412-419.

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Music Therapy

Journal Articles

Ashida, S. (2000). The effect of reminiscence music therapy sessions on changes in depressive symptoms in elderly persons with dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 37(3), 170-182.
Gardiner, J. C., Furois, M., Tansley, D. P., & Morgan, B. (2000). Music therapy and reading as intervention strategies for disruptive behavior in dementia. Clinical Gerontologist, 22(1), 31-46.
Groene, R. W. (1993). Effectiveness of music therapy 1:1 intervention with individuals having Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type. Journal of Music Therapy, 30(3), 138-157.
Groene, R. W. (1993). Effectiveness of music therapy intervention with individuals having senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. University of Minnesota.
Johnson, J. K., Cotman, C. W., Tasaki, C. S., & Shaw, G. L. (1998). Enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning after a Mozart listening condition in Alzheimer's disease: a case study. Neurol Res, 20(8), 666-672.
Koger, S. M., & Brotons, M. (2000). Music therapy for dementia symptoms. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 3.
Koger, S. M., Chapin, K., & Brotons, M. (1999). Is music therapy an effective intervention for dementia? A meta-analytic review of literature. Journal of Music Therapy, 36(1), 2-15.
Runci, S., Doyle, C., & Redman, J. (1999). An empirical test of language-relevant interventions for dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 11(3), 301-311.

Websites

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Music Therapy & Massage

Journal Article

Snyder, M., & Olson, J. (1996). Music and hand massage interventions to produce relaxation and reduce aggressive behaviors in cognitively impaired elders: A pilot study. Clinical Gerontologist, 17(1), 64-69.

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Nutritional Supplements/Meal Modification

Summary of Recent Research and Food Suggestions for Combating Alzheimer’s (Dementia) http://www.foodandlife.com/dementia.htm
Vitamins.com and HealthNotes information on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Click on “Health Centers,” then click on “Aging Well Health Center,” and then choose “Alzheimer’s Disease.” To see the page without any navigation options, go directly to the Alzheimer’s page.

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Pain management

Bachino, C., Snow, A. L., Kunik, M. E., Cody, M., & Wristers, K. (2001). Principles of pain assessment and treatment in non-communicative demented patients. Clinical Gerontologist, 23(3-4), 97-115.
Billings, J. A. (2000). Recent advances: Palliative care. British Medical Journal, 321(7260), 555-558.

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Pet Therapy

Journal Articles

Draper, R. J., Gerber, G. J., & Layng, E. M. (1990). Defining the role of pet animals in psychotherapy. Psychiatr J Univ Ott, 15(3), 169-172.
Greer, K. L., Pustay, K. A., Zaun, T. C., & Coppens, P. (2001). A comparison of the effects of toys versus live animals on the communication of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Clinical Gerontologist, 24(3-4), 157-182.
Kanamori, M., et al. (2001). Day care program and evaluation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for the elderly with senile dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 16 (4), 234-239.
Katsinas, R. P. (2000). Use and implications of a canine companion in a therapeutic day program for nursing home residents with dementia. Adaptation and Aging, 25(1), 13-30.
Zisselman, M. H., Rovner, B. W., Shmuely, Y., & Ferrie, P. (1996). A pet therapy intervention with geriatric psychiatry inpatients. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 50(1), 47-51.

Websites

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Reality Orientation

Ferrario, E., et al. (1991). Reality orientation therapy in institutionalized elderly patients: Preliminary results. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 2, 139-142.
Finnema, E. J., et al. (1998). The design of a large-scale experimental study into the effect of emotion-oriented care on demented elderly and professional careers in nursing homes. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 6, 193-200.
Holden, U. P., & Woods, R. T. (1982). Reality orientation: psychological approaches to the confused elderly. New York, NY and Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone.
Johnson, C. H., McLaren, S. M., & McPherson, F. M. (1981). The comparative effectiveness of three versions of 'classroom' reality orientation. Age Ageing, 10(1), 33-35.
Metitieri, T., et al. (2001). Reality Orientation Therapy to delay outcomes of progression in patients with dementia: A retrospective study. Clinical Rehabilitation, 15(5), 471-478.
Mitchel, S. (1980). A reassessment of the effectiveness of reality orientation for the confused aged. Long Term Care Health Serv Adm Q, 4(2), 103-114.
Phillips, E. & Elias, J.W. (1980) Combining sensory stimulation with reality orientation to promote sensory orientation. American Health Care Association Journal, 6(1), 48-50.
Reeve, W., & Ivison, D. (1985). Use of environmental manipulation and classroom and modified informal reality orientation with institutionalized, confused elderly patients. Age Ageing, 14(2), 119-121.
Scanland, S.G. & Emershaw, L.E. (1993) Reality orientation and validation therapy: dementia, depression, and functional status. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 19(6), 7-11.
Spector, A., Davies, S., Woods, B., & Orrell, M. (2000). Reality orientation for dementia: A systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness from randomized controlled trials. Gerontologist, 40(2), 206-212.
Spector, A., Orrell, M., Davies, S., & Woods, B. (2000). Reality orientation for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 4.
Spector, A., Orrell, M., Davies, S., & Woods, B. (2001). Can reality orientation be rehabilitated? Development and piloting of an evidence-based programme of cognition-based therapies for people with dementia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 11(3-4), 377-397. Williams, R., Reeve, W., Ivison, D., & Kavanagh, D. (1987). Use of environmental manipulation and modified informal reality orientation with institutionalized, confused elderly subjects: a replication. Age and Ageing, 16(5), 315-318. Woods, R. T. (1992). What can be learned from studies on reality orientation? In Jones, Gemma & Miesen, Bere (Ed). Care giving in dementia: Research and applications. (pp. 121 136). New York, NY: Tavistock/Routledge.
Yesavage, J.A. & Karasu, T.B. (1982) Psychotherapy with elderly patients. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 36(1), 41-55.
Zanetti, O., Bianchetti, A., & Trabucchi, M. (1998). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias of late life. American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(10), 1461.
Zepelin, H., Wolfe, C. S., & Kleinplatz, F. (1981). Evaluation of a yearlong reality orientation program. Gerontologist, 1981, 36(1), 70-77.

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Reminiscence

Bass, B. A., & Greger, L. M. (1996). Stimulus complexity in reminiscence therapy and scores on the Beck Depression Inventory of a small group of nursing-home residents. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 82(3, Pt 1), 973-974.
Spector, A., Orrell, M., Davies, S., & Woods, R. T. (2000). Reminiscence therapy for dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 4.
Thorgrimsen, L., Schweitzer, P., & Orrell, M. (2002). Evaluating reminiscence for people with dementia: A pilot study. Arts in Psychotherapy, 29(2), 93-97.

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Rocking Chair Therapy

Snyder, M., et al. (2001). A glider swing intervention for people with dementia. Geriatr Nurs, 22(2), 86-90.
Watson, N. M., Wells, T. J., & Cox, C. (1998). Rocking chair therapy for dementia patients: its effect on psychosocial well-being and balance. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(6), 296-308.

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Special Care Units/Alzheimer’s Units

Bellelli, G., et al. (1998). Special care units for demented patients: A multicenter study. Gerontologist, 38(4), 456-462.
Bono, G., Raineri, C., Greco, L., Mauri, M., Maurizio Clerici, A., & Merlo, P. (1997). Medium-term outcomes of Alzheimer patients in special care units. Functional Neurology: New Trends in Adaptive and Behavioral Disorders, 12(3-4), 219-220.
Buckwalter, K. C. (1991). Segregating the cognitively impaired: Are dementia units successful? In P. R. Katz & R. L. Kane (Eds.), Advances in long term care, Vol. 1 (pp. 43-60). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co.
Frisoni, G. B., et al., (1998). Special care units for dementia in nursing homes: A controlled study of effectiveness. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 6, 215-224.
Kovach, C. R., & Stearns, S. A. (1994). DSCUs: a study of behavior before and after residence. Journal-of-Gerontological-Nursing, 20(12), 33-39.
Lawton, M. P., Van, H. K., Klapper, J., Kleban, M. H., Katz, I. R., & Corn, Julie. (1998). Stimulation-retreat special care unit for elders with dementing illness. International-Psychogeriatrics, 10 (4), 379-395.
Lefroy, R.B., Hyndman, J. & Hobbs, M.S.T. (1997). Special Dementia Unit (hostel): review of the first eleven years operation. Australian Journal on Ageing. 16(1), 16-19.
Leon, J., & Ory, M. G. (1999). Effectiveness of special care unit (SCU) placements in reducing physically aggressive behaviors in recently admitted dementia nursing home residents. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 14(5), 270-277.
Maslow, K. (1996). Relationship between patient characteristics and the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic approaches to prevent or treat behavioral symptoms. International Psychogeriatrics, 8(Suppl 1), 73-76.
Roberts, J., Browne, G., Gafni, A., Varieur, M., Loney, P., & de Ruijter, M. (2000). Specialized continuing care models for persons with dementia: A systematic review of the research literature. Canadian Journal on Aging, 19(1), 106-126.
Sloane, P.D., Lindeman, D.A., Phillips, C., Moritz, D.J., & Koch,G. (1995). Evaluating Alzheimer's special care units: reviewing the evidence and identifying potential sources of study bias. Gerontologist, 35 (1), 103-111.
Thomson, K., Turner, L.C., & Wiebe, P. (1993-94). How SCUs help residents with mental health problems. Journal of Long Term Care Administration, 21(4), 25-29.

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Snoezelen

Journal Articles

Ashby, M., Lindsay, W.R., Pitcaithly, D., Broxholme, S., & Geelen, N. (1995). Snoezelen: its effects on concentration and responsiveness in people with profound multiple handicaps. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(7), 303-307.
Baker, R., Dowling, Z., Wareing, L.A., Dawson, J., & Assey, J. (1997). Snoelzelen: Its long term and short term effects on older people with dementia. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(5), 213-218.
Lancioni, G. E., Cuvo, A. J., & O'Reilly, M. F. (2002). Snoezelen: An overview of research with people with disabilities and dementia. Disability and Rehabilitation: An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 24(4), 175-184.
Pinkney, L. (1997). A comparison of the Snoezelen environment and a music relaxation group on the mood and behavior of patients with senile dementia. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(5), 209-212.

Websites

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Therapeutic Touch

Aveyard, B., Sykes, M., & Doherty, D. (2002). Therapeutic touch in dementia care. Nurs Older People, 14(6), 20-21.
Woods, D. L. (1999). The effect of therapeutic touch on glucocorticoids and agitated behavior in individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer type. University of Washington.

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Therapeutic Touch & Massage

Snyder, M., Egan, E. C., & Burns, K. R. (1995). Interventions for decreasing agitation behaviors in persons with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 21(7), 34-40.

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Validation Therapy

Babins, L. (1998). Conceptual analysis of validation therapy. Int J Aging Hum Dev, 26(3), 161-168.
Feil, N. (1993) The validation breakthrough: simple techniques for communicating with people with Alzheimer’s type dementia. Baltimore, MD: P. Brookes Publishers
Fine, J. I., & Rouse, B. S. (1995). Using validation techniques to improve communication with cognitively impaired older adults. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 21(6), 39-45.
Morton, I., & Bleathman, C. (1991). The effectiveness of validation therapy in dementia: A pilot study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 6(5), 327-330.
Neal, M., & Briggs, M. (2000).Validation therapy for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2.
Toseland, R. W., Diehl, M., Freeman, K., Manzanares, T., Naleppa, M., & McCallion, P. (1997). The impact of validation group therapy on nursing home residents with dementia. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 16(1), 31-50.