Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104545

Christine Phillips, MA, PhD, ., St Georges University School of Medicine Grenada W.I, Current Address.191 Trebing Place, ., Union, NJ 07083, 1-973-462-5127, christine7zk@yahoo.com

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present a comparative analysis of institutionalized demented elderly that participated in activities created to test the effectiveness of the Living Rehabilitation concept.

Significance: With the escalation of the world's elderly population, the rate of people with dementia has subsequently increased. As a result, more effective social intervention measures will be required to meet those growing needs.

Method: To test the effectiveness of the Living Rehabilitation concept, I designed activities coordinated from current programs, some of which were currently in use or sometimes practiced in health institutions. Data collection occurred over a period of fifteen months. The first six months of the study involved preliminary observation and analysis of demented elderly patients in various health care institutions in Japan and the United States.

Results: The results of this perceptual analysis proved that major differences in response transpired among hospital and nursing home participants to activities of the Living Rehabilitation (LR) concept. As a result, similarities and differences varied in the determinants, which influenced hospital and nursing home participants respectively.

Implication: This study yields significant implication for Policy makers and Health care institutions to consider when planning intervention programs for people with dementia.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the poster presentation, the attendee will be able to

• Recognize that reliability of any non-pharmacological intervention program can only be achieved through active participation and initiation of activities by facilitators, caregivers, therapists or family members. 2.Facilitators employing verbal and non-verbal communication strategies, physical touch and humor during an activity helps motivate participants towards advancing into an activity

Keywords: Behavioral Research,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.