Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

An aim of the present study is to clarify the effect of an inter-generational program for Alzheimer��?s sufferers through the cooperation with children. This is an interim report of the results of two-year intervention from August 2012 to August 2014. It consists of an intervention and a control group of eight and six sufferers, respectively, who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Both groups attend day care services. The program consists of activities held every morning from 10 to 11:30, with Activity Cares. Assessments are made every six months using the following scales: FAST (Functional Assessment Staging), HDS-R (Hasegawa��?s Dementia Scale, revised), DAD (Disability Assessment for Dementia), and Behave-AD (Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer��?s disease), and PGC-ARS (Philadelphia Geriatric Center-Affect Rating Scale) QOL-AD (Quality of Life in Alzheimer��?s disease). On the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Affect Rating Scale, three items have been proved statistically significant. Pleasure, Interest, and Contentment have increased with inter-generational cooperation. The magnitude of the change was not so remarkable as to influence QOL-AD at home. The positive effects of PGC-ARS Pleasure, Interest, and Contentment in the intervened group were maintained, where they were not in the control group. This implies that the positive affect of the intervened group has been maintained rather than the control group while attending the sessions in the day care service. This may reduce the burden on the staff caring for Alzheimer��?s sufferers in the day care services.

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