Stage Related Cognitive Rehabilitation for Alzheimer's Disease

Lee, Young Min; Lee, Byung Dae; Park, Je Min

Abstract

Because no effective curative approaches are available, cognitive rehabilitation in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are needed. In the types of cognitive rehabilitation, there are behavior-oriented approaches, emotion-oriented approaches, cognition-oriented approaches and stimulation-oriented approaches. The decline of cognitive and adaptive capacities associated with the progression of AD necessitates that different Cognitive rehabilitation programs are provided at different stage. In initial stages of AD, cognitionoriented approaches has centered on the enhancement of memory and speed of processing, with the goal of maximizing current function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline, while in more severe stages interventions such as stimulation-oriented approaches and Behavior-oriented approaches are used. Cognitive rehabilitation is always individually tailored, involving working on personal goals, often using external cognitive aids and with some use of learning strategies. A cognitive rehabilitation based on awareness of stages of AD provides the possibility of tailored treatments for many different patients.