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The Tailored Activity Program to reduce behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia: feasibility, acceptability, and replication potential

Authors

Gitlin, Laura N, Winter, Laraine, Vause Earland, Tracey, Adel Herge, E., Chernett, Nancy L., Piersol, Catherine V., Burke, Janice P.

Journal

The Gerontologist, Volume: 49, No.: 3, Pages.: 428-439

Year of Publication

2009

Abstract

Purpose: The Tailored Activity Program (TAP) is a home-based occupational therapy intervention shown to reduce behavioral symptoms and caregiver burden in a randomized trial. This article describes TAP, its assessments, acceptability, and replication potential.; Design and Methods: TAP involves 8 sessions for a period of 4 months. Interventionists identify preserved capabilities, previous roles, habits, and interests of individuals with dementia; develop activities customized to individual profiles; and train families in activity use. Interventionists documented time spent and ease conducting assessments, and observed receptivity of TAP. For each implemented prescribed activity, caregivers reported the amount of time their relative spent in activity and perceived benefits.; Results: The TAP assessment, a combination of neuropsychological tests, standardized performance-based observations, and clinical interviewing, yielded information on capabilities from which to identify and tailor activities. Assessments were easy to administer, taking an average of two 1-hr sessions. Of 170 prescribed activities, 81.5% were used, for an average of 4 times for 23 min by families between treatment sessions for a period of months. Caregivers reported high confidence in using activities, being less upset with behavioral symptoms (86%), and enhanced skills (93%) and personal control (95%). Interventionists observed enhanced engagement (100%) and pleasure (98%) in individuals with dementia during sessions.; Implications: TAP offers families knowledge of their relative’s capabilities and easy-to-use activities. The program was well received by caregivers. Prescribed activities appeared to be pleasurable and engaging to individuals with dementia. TAP merits further evaluation to establish efficacy with larger more diverse populations and consideration as a nonpharmacological approach to manage behavioral symptoms.;

Bibtex Citation

@article{Gitlin_2009, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnp087}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp087}, year = 2009, month = {may}, publisher = {Oxford University Press ({OUP})}, volume = {49}, number = {3}, pages = {428--439}, author = {L. N. Gitlin and L. Winter and T. Vause Earland and E. Adel Herge and N. L. Chernett and C. V. Piersol and J. P. Burke}, title = {The Tailored Activity Program to Reduce Behavioral Symptoms in Individuals With Dementia: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Replication Potential}, journal = {The Gerontologist} }

Keywords

aged, attention deficit and disruptive behavior disorders, behavior, being, caregivers, consumer satisfaction, control, dementia, enhanced, feasibility studies, female, humans, interviews as topic, less, male, nursing, occupational therapy, personal, physiopathology, prevention & control, program evaluation, psychology, quality of life, rehabilitation, reproducibility of results, skills, upset

Countries of Study

USA

Types of Dementia

Dementia (general / unspecified)

Types of Study

Interview Study

Type of Outcomes

Other carer outcomes (e.g. financial burden and more)

Type of Interventions

Intervention for Carers, Non-pharmacological Treatment

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

Occupational Therapy

Carer Focussed Interventions

Training programmes / workshops including behavioural training