Review of exemplar programs for adults with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
In response to the need to develop evidence-based best practices interventions and services for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the authors conducted an interdisciplinary literature review of exemplar programs, defined as those including multimodal or unimodal interventions; shown to be appropriate for individuals in the early stages of AD; demonstrating promise to support, maintain, and improve independent functioning; and shown to have positive effects for a variety of outcomes, including quality of life. This article examines evidence from five kinds of programs: (a) multimodal interventions, (b) programs developed by the Southwest Florida Interdisciplinary Center for Positive Aging, (c) sleep enhancement interventions, (d) managed care programs, and (e) technology-based interventions. Evidence from the review suggests that a number of programs can support functioning and improve quality of life for adults living with the early stages of memory loss. The article concludes with recommendations to advance a national research agenda in this area.
Burgener
Sandra C
SC
University of Illinois College of Nursing, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. sburgenr@illinois.edu
Buettner
Linda
L
Buckwalter
Kathleen C
KC
Beattie
Elizabeth
E
Bossen
Ann L
AL
Fick
Donna
D
Fitzsimmons
Suzanne
S
Kolanowski
Ann
A
Richeson
Nancy E
NE
Rose
Karen M
KM
Schreiner
Andrea
A
Pringle Specht
Janet K
JK
Smith
Marianne
M
Testad
Ingelin
I
Yu
Fang
F
Gabrielson
Marcena
M
McKenzie
Sharon
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design