The evaluation of occupational therapy interventions in a dementia support team in an acute hospital for elderly patients with cognitive impairments

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate occupational therapy interventions in a dementia support team in an acute hospital. Postoperative elderly patients with musculoskeletal disease with impaired cognitive function were assessed. The results show an improvement in cognitive function was found in the Functional Independence Measure （FIM）, but not the Japanese Mini Mental State Examination. Moreover, the FIM motor improved, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, delirium, psychotropic drug use, disposable diaper use, and physical restraint use decreased. These observations imply that dementia support teams involving occupational therapists could be useful for elderly care in acute hospital care settings.