title: Memory problems in dementia: adaptation and coping strategies and psychosocial treatments.
abstract: Memory problems are generally quite prominent in dementia and they have a significant impact on everyday functioning. Medication developed for Alzheimer's disease, for example, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, can slow down the increase of cognitive impairment for a while. In addition to pharmacotherapy, psychosocial treatment methods are also used, some of which have a positive effect on cognition, for example, cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation therapy and movement therapy. However, more research is needed. This article first describes the consequences of memory problems on the everyday life of people with dementia and summarizes research findings on how people with dementia experience and cope with their illness. We then discuss the most frequently applied psychosocial treatments for cognitive problems in dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Home Medicine, EMGO+, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. rm.droes@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Rose-Marie
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dröes
authors.forename: Henriëtte G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: van der Roest
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Mierlo
authors.forename: Franka J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Meiland
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy