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Purpose:
This proposed research project is designed to measure
the effectiveness of two therapeutic group programs in a nursing home setting
to help reduce the need for medications, increase sleep patterns
and increase or maintain eating patterns, as well as,
prove the need for intimacy in group work with the Alzheimer's patients.
The techniques used in the therapy groups are intended to help residents
either decrease the intake level of prescribed medications, or to avoid
scheduled or anticipated increases in intake levels of food consumption
and experience a better quality of life. Measurements of drug intake,
as well as behavioral incidents and their frequency,
will be used to determine the effectiveness of the therapeutic groups.
It is the intention of the study to measure the Alzheimer
resident quality of life and to prove that the group will influence their
drug intake and their quality of life. The quality of life is not measurable
but it will be measured with these diagnostics
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Sleep patterns - examining the sleep patterns of the group
one month prior to the group analysis.
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Eating patterns - examining the eating patterns and intake
prior to the group and following the group.
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PRN medications - are they administered/needed less during
the study compared to before and after the study.
Identifying and belonging to the group - do they respond
to the clinician and "answer" the questions asked of them. The intimacy
is the key to the group’s success.
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In our groups, the use of senses will be maximized. This
study should demonstrate that with daily intimacy (defined as eye contact
and connection on a personal level on a daily basis), centered around use
of the senses (multi-model techniques), the Alzheimer resident will improve
or maintain their abilities to sleep well, eat successfully and respond
to personal contact.
In addition to improving behavior and reducing the need
for medication, the therapeutic groups also are designed to achieve less
measurable goals:
Providing residents with a comfortable and manageable
environment, and an improved quality of life.
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