Effects of Care Program of Reminiscence on Community Elderly with Dementia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intervention of group care program consisting of reminiscence to prevent the decline of cognitive function and daily living activities in the community elderly with dementia (Dementia of the Alzheimer type or Vascular Dementia according to DSM-TV). Subjects were randomly assigned to either intervention group or control one. For the intervention group, a group care program was provided, on the other hand, for the control one, the usual day care program was provided. As a result, 1) There was a significant difference in cognitive function between the intervention group and the control one, the total MMSE scores and orientation score in the intervention group increased, while that of the control one decreased. 2) There were significant differences in disorientation and withdrawal between the two groups, the intervention group showed improved these function, while the control one showed a loss of function. 3) The group process review suggested that the improvement of inter-personal relationship and vitality were seen in the intervention group. Judging from the results, We conclude that the group care program consisting of reminiscence can be effective for improving cognitive function and daily living activities on community elderly with dementia.