Alzheimers disease (AD), as a degenerative disease of the nervous system, is quietly threatening the health and lives of the elderly. In the early stages of AD, patients often experience a decline in memory, and forget recent events as if there is an eraser in their mind, which wipes away fresh memories constantly. Simultaneously, they may also exhibit abnormal mental behaviors, and these changes impact their daily lives and social interactions severely.
The Dilemma of AD Treatment: There are Iimitations in the Drug Therapy.
Currently, the treatment of AD remains a significant challenge in the medical field. Although drug therapy is a common way, its effectiveness is relatively limited and it may lead to drug interactions and adverse reactions. It is akin that you battle a disease with a weapon that is not sharp, which may produce some side effects.
Non-drug Therapy: The New Hope for AD Treatment
In contrast, non-drug therapy is crucial. As if a warm beam of light, it illuminate the recovery path of AD patients. Non-drug therapy can improve patients cognition, regulate their emotions, delay functional decline, help patients integrate into the life, enhance the quality of life, and also alleviate the burden of caregivers.
Today, we are honored to invite a specialist. She is Dr. Fu Huifang, a deputy chief physician of medicine rehabilitation department in Hainan Cancer Hospital. She talks about Alzheimers disease and the remarkable non-drug treatment methods.
Cognitive Intervention: To Activate the Brains Memory Engine
Rehabilitation treatment for AD patients should be carried out from multiple dimensions. In cognitive intervention, training programs are designed based on the specific cognitive function deficits of the patients. For example, through engaging interesting tasks actively, patients can improve their memories and attention, which will infuse new vitality into the brains memory engine.
Exercise Rehabilitation: To Charge the Body and Brain
In exercise rehabilitation therapy, AD patients at different stages have different exercise recommendations. Early-stage AD patients can choose activities such as table tennis, gate ball, swimming, and jogging, which can invigorate both their bodies and minds; mid-stage patients can take walks or perform simple finger exercises with the accompaniment of family members. Through unassisted or equipment-assisted training, patients can regain motor function, enhance muscle strength and endurance, increase joint mobility, and restore balance and walking abilities. These therapies resemble charging for body and brain.
Participate in Rehabilitation: To Return the Daily Iife
In the rehabilitation of activity and participation impairments, the focus is strengthening the training of patient daily living skills, teaching them how to manage everyday activities, and reducing their reliance on external assistance. Concurrently, the home environment should be adjusted and simplified. We should used labels and mnemonic cues to lessen the cognitive load of patients, aid them participate in daily activities, and enable them to return the daily life.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation: a Multi-dimensional Warm Care
In Comprehensive rehabilitation, reminiscence therapy is a meaningful approach. AD patients often suffer from severe impairment of recent memories while retain their remote memories. By arranging old objects, displaying vintage photographs, and recounting hometown customs, we help patients recall the joys of the past and improve their life enthusiasm, as if letting them back to the past warm days.
Music therapy also proves to be effective. Even when AD patients suffer from severe memory impairment, their memory for music remains largely intact. We should organize music activities for patients provides opportunities for socialization and communication, reduce their loneliness, and help maintain their mental functions through the stimulation of rhythm and melody. Music, like a steadfast old friend, accompanies the patients all the way.
Acupuncture treatment, as a traditional Chinese medical therapy, also plays a role in the treatment of AD. Through the combination of different methods such as body acupuncture and ear acupuncture, along with medications, it regulates the patients bodily functions and takes effect in fighting against AD.
Care for AD Patients: Early Intervention, More Company
Fu Huifang reminds us that the treatment of AD requires timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management. The rehabilitation of AD patients is a long-term process that necessitates the collective support of families, medical teams, and society. Through scientific management, patients can still maintain their dignity and quality of life. Early intervention and abundant care are key to combating the disease. Let us join hands and move forward together to create a warmer and more hopeful future for AD patients.
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Material Source |Medicine Rehabilitation Department
Editor | Huang Fei