AD is associated with loss of functional abilities, decline of cognitive functions and relational problems leading isolation, boredom and depression.
Objective: To confirm that the Life History Support Groups (LHSG) are capable of: 1.- To improve AD patients' quality of life by placing them in a continuum from past to present to future 2.- To increase AD patients' enjoyment of life, fighting against loss of self-estime, social ease and human interactions 3.- To restore self-image 4.-Indirectly to stimulate cognitive functions
Materials and Methods: The study of the quality of life, from September 2001 to July 2002, was evaluated with: the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the questions posed concerning six domains: sleep, motility, energy, pain, emotional reactions, and social life are focused on subjective experiences; clinical interviews and clinical observations. AD patients meet every week for one hour. Each time the group meets in the same day of the week in the same room with the same persons; this set context allows fixed bearings in time and space.
Results: 30 AD patients with mild dementia (medium age: 81), 10 men and 20 women from five Nursering homes in the Paris area, were observed. The final evaluation and clinical reports reveal that AD patients of the LHSG are less isolate, more dynamic, less depressive, and they were very enthusiastic to participle in the LHSG and to meet he other patients.
Conclusion: Our results confirm the importance of the Life History support groups. They provide a valuable experience for a specific duration (ten months). Sharing and exchanging memories contribute to improving their self- esteem. The continuous and daily involvement of the group's residents allows a group dynamic and its affects on the participants' sociability are clear. The Life History support groups can help to slow down the depression due to isolation of these patients, and their activities decrease.
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