Occupational Engagement

Participation in physical activity has been shown to have many health benefits for older adults; this study does not provide strong support that it protects against cognitive decline. Reports have been made that physical activity may help guard against stroke and coronary heart disease, both of which may be associated with the development of dementia. Some studies were either limited in their scope or had short follow-up times. In all they find that for older adults, physical activity alone may not protect against cognitive decline. (By Charnicia E. Huggins: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseforseniors.html)

Due to the inconsistency between studies there is no definitive exercise dosage or type that can aid in protection against dementia. However, from the evidence provided it suggests that higher levels of exercise can be used as a neuroprotective mechanism to prevent the onset of

Despite the number of lives Alzheimer’s disease has affected, it cannot be cured. An estimated five million Americans are affected by this disease (“Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet”); treatment trials are being conducted in addition to extensive research to learn more about lifestyle choices to support brain health. As a result, researchers are beginning to find ways to prevent this disease. Lifestyle choices including physical activity, social engagement, obtaining a healthy diet, and receiving a good night’s sleep may help counteract Alzheimer’s disease and support brain health. Although an innumerable amount of people across the United States are affected by Alzheimer's disease, it can be prevented.

Along with varying music to achieve different beneficial results from Alzheimer’s patients, there are many different activities that can help engage and improve the mental state of patients with Alzheimer’s from the early stages of the disease’s

Out of the rapidly inclining population in the world, there are people who develop dementia every 66 seconds(“2016 Alzheimer’s Disease”). Being such a common disease in the elderly, there are 47.5 million people in the world with this disease(“2016 Alzheimer’s Disease”). Once families start to realize that their parents and grandparents have developed this, they start to wonder if they are able to live on their own. Within a few months, a decision is made whether if it is best for them to be put into a nursing home. Most often, those with dementia do happen to end up in nursing homes. Many wonder if being put into a nursing home will actually cause their dementia and their ability to live on their own to worsen. With the effects of activities, this could change. Activities help slow the deterioration of the brain(Smith). The activities and exercises performed by nursing homes to help improve the overall cognitive development in dementia patients. Nursing homes should induct purposeful daily activities to improve cognitive, social, and psychological development in dementia care

Occupational therapy by definition "is a health profession whose goal is to help people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in all aspects of their lives."(steinhardt.nyu.edu) Occupational therapy is an art, an art that begins by first viewing the patient through a lens of empathy. Occupational therapist must not only recognize a patient 's condition, but asses them as a whole, taking into account all aspects of their being. Occupational therapist provide treatment that is intrinsic in nature, while also satisfying the client 's desires, and needs. Occupational therapy is used as a form of treatment in many illness 's both physical and cognitive. Cognitive disorders can be some of the hardest to cope with, as they affect all levels on function. Dementia is a cognitive disorder that affects neurological function. There are many types of dementia, for the purpose of this paper the focus will be on the most common form of dementia known as Alzheimer 's disease. Alzheimer 's disease affects 5.3 million Americans, with 5.1 million age 65 an older. Though early onset Alzheimer 's has been seen in people as young as 30 it is very uncommon.

Six drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that temporarily improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by increasing the amount of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. The effectiveness of these drugs varies from person to person. While these drugs cannot cure dementia or repair brain damage, they may improve symptoms and create a better quality of life as the disease progresses. Non-pharmacologic therapies are often used with the goal of maintaining or improving cognitive function, the ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living, or overall quality of life. They also may be used with the goal of reducing behavioral symptoms such as depression, paranoia, apathy, wandering, sleep disturbances, agitation and aggression (2015). How is occupational therapy used to

Running increases blood flow to the brain including the hippocampus, the key area affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

At the age of 53, as a member of the growing older population, there has been many occupational changes throughout my life. An individual never realizes how a passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another change the body and mind. Every day is a battle mentally and physically to complete the tasks of the day. Exercise has been a powerful reliever of pain for the body and soul. People face many diverse challenges and changes across the span of a life and occupational therapy can take actions to improve a situation, especially with medical disorders.

The article, Exercise Program for Older Adults Improves Health and Catches on Around the Country, goes into depth about a program managed by senior services in Seattle, Washington, pertaining to a study on the elderly and the benefits of physical activity. Aging studies have found that people grow old at different rates, but it is inevitable that at some point there will be a decline in endurance, flexibility, balance and strength that occurs from natural aging. This natural occurrence has the possibility of leading to several negative impacts such as diminished independence and vitality which can lead to depression as well as increasing the likelihood of a disabling injury. After years of researching the positive benefits of physical activity, The University of Washington’s Health Promotion Research Center, a CDC Prevention Research Center (PRC), decided that they wanted to offer an exercise program in the setting of a community center. They thought it was wise to offer this program in a community based location like a senior center to promote dissemination and

Most of the older persons in my family have developed dementia at their old age. “Attempting to avoid dementia development, some risk factors taken into account include ones that are unable to be modified: age with age-influencing early-life deleterious conditions, gender, and genetic influence. Additionally, several inborn physical attributes factor in such as lack of early education, environmental stress, and major unexpected circumstances that include accidents and trauma associated with increased risk for dementia. Physical activity has been suggested to weaken the pathophysiology of dementia through constant blood flow to the brain (sustained cerebral perfusion) due to the established relationship between hypertension and dementia. Some examples of physical activity include: dancing, undergoing either usual care or exercise for 60 minutes twice a week. ‘Physical activity’ refers to ‘usual care plus physical activity.’” Although some studies suggest that nutrition-wise antioxidants, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acid, and other supplements help delay the onset of dementia, there has been no absolute prevention from neither physical activity nor nutrition.”

Someone suffering Alzheimer's disease may notice confusion and difficulty recalling information or just day to day routines. This disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is a group of brain disorders that cause the loss of intellectual and social skills. In Alzheimer’s the brain cells degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function; this causes difficulty concentrating and thinking. The changes that occur in the brain can affect the way you feel or even the way you act. Apathy, social withdrawal, mood swings, distrust in others, irritability, aggressiveness, and changes in sleeping habits are a few things patients with Alzheimer’s may experience in their day to day life. There are factors that have said to increase your changes of having this disease and a few are: past head trauma, obesity, lack of exercising, smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, high blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic Staff stated that Keeping active may make life more enjoyable and reduce your risk of having

Much of the research and clinical work in occupational therapy is based at an activity level that allows people to manage themselves and engage in work, leisure and fitness activities.

Thus, the impact of environmental factors was also explored. The influence of epigenetic factors, physical activity, and environmental enrichment were evaluated through analysis of correlational studies and a lab experiment. The results of this research generally indicated that environmental factors can play a role as a preventative measure of developing the disease. There is suggestion that the genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s can be lessened through environmental enrichment or physical activity. However, the research lacks definitive evidence that environmental factors can completely diminish the heritability of the disease across populations.

Alzheimer and depression effects an individuals’ occupations, independence and self worth, this will be the aim and focus of the following discussion. This discussion will explore the functions and disability of this scenario which includes, the primary body systems involved in Alzheimer 's and depression including the structure’s and function’s. Then, how Lee’s (2003) occupations across the three areas of productivity, self care and leisure are affected. Furthermore, it will also explore the context of this scenario, which includes the environmental and personal factors.