Recovery of cognitive reserve in eldery with the Alzheimer's dementia. Report of experience

Abstract

Objective: to stimulate cognitive reserves in older adults with Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) in an attempt to recover still existent potentialities, and awaken a new perspective on family, health professionals and caregivers. Method: Experience report study carried out with an elderly woman with 90 years of age. The ethical requirements adopted were approved in the CEP/HUAP with protocol No. 258/08. Results: Stimulation of the potentialities was then performed by the adoption of strategies, such as: touch, exchange of emotions, interactive communication, and redemption of old photos, encounter of different generations and conducting recreational and manual activities. All were shown to produce significant responses for the life of the elderly with AD. Conclusion: The phenomenon of the increasing elderly population is a current issue and challenging due to the injuries which may arise such as AD. Diagnosis of the disease brings the need for family restructuring based on different strategies for dealing with this disease.