Verbal Cueing and Environmental Modifications: Strategies to Improve Engagement in Occupations in Persons with Alzheimer Disease

Abstract

This study examined the effects of individual intervention programs using environmental modifications and caregiver training in verbal cueing and verbal reinforcement in persons with Alzheimer disease residing in an assisted living facility. Five residents were observed performing two daily living tasks of their choice and evaluated using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Using results of AMPS evaluations, individual intervention programs were developed for each resident by the researcher. Following caregiver training the individual programs were implemented with residents who were re-evaluated after two weeks. All residents showed statistically significant improvements in process ability measures and two residents showed improvement in motor ability measures. The results from this study demonstrated that caregiver training and environmental modifications can improve performance in activities of daily living in those with Alzheimer disease.

KEYWORDS:

• Alzheimer disease
• assisted living facility
• caregiver training
• occupational therapy intervention
• Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS)