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Making physical activity accessible to older adults with memory loss: a feasibility study
- Authors:
- LOGSDON Rebecca G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 49(S1), June 2009, pp.S94-S99.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The Resources and Activities for Life Long Independence (RALLI) program in the US uses behavioural principles to make exercise more accessible for older people with memory loss. Exercises are broken into small steps, sequenced, and linked with cues to help participants remember them. Memory aids, easy-to-follow instructions, and tracking forms to facilitate adherence and proper technique are provided to enhance exercise training and compensate for memory loss. Thirty-seven individuals participated in RALLI pilot groups held in retirement residences. Attendance was excellent, with participants attending 90% of classes. At post-test (12 weeks), 84% of participants had exercised at least once during the prior week, compared with 62% who had exercised at least once during the week prior to baseline, mean exercise time increased by 156 min per week, and SF-36 physical components scale significantly improved. After 6 months, 76% of participants continued exercising and mean exercise time remained significantly improved. Persons with MCI can significantly benefit from an exercise program specifically designed to address their cognitive needs. Participants’ ratings indicate improvement in perceived physical health and emotional well-being as a result of the intervention. Thus, RALLI is a promising intervention to promote exercise in individuals with MCI.
Memory care and wellness services: efficacy of specialized dementia care in adult day services
- Authors:
- LOGSDON Rebecca G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 56(2), 2016, pp.318-325.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: This investigation evaluated participant and caregiver outcomes of a programme of specialised dementia adult day services (ADS; Memory Care and Wellness Services: MCWS). Design and Methods: One hundred eighty-seven participant–caregiver dyads were enrolled in a quasiexperimental research investigation; 162 attended MCWS and 25 were comparison dyads that met eligibility criteria but did not have access to ADS within their communities. The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate whether MCWS improved quality of life, mood, behaviour, or functional status for participants with dementia and whether caregivers experienced decreased stress, burden, or depression, compared with comparison dyads. Results: No significant differences were seen between MCWS and comparison dyads at 3 months. However, after 6 months, MCWS participants exhibited significantly fewer depressive behaviours (p < .05) and a trend toward fewer total behaviour problems (p < .10) than comparison participants, and MCWS caregivers exhibited significantly less distress over behaviour problems (total behaviour problems, memory problems, depressive problems, all p < .05) than comparison caregivers. Implications: Although modest, outcomes represent a reversal of the typical direction of change in both behaviour problems and caregiver distress, despite the progression of cognitive and functional impairment. Caregivers were highly satisfied with the services. The MCWS programme provides a model of a community-based dementia ADS and results provide support for further development of the programme. (Edited publisher abstract)