Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTalk TherapyReminiscence TherapyCognitive Stimulation TherapyReality OrientationOccupational TherapyMassageTENSOther OptionsSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Talk Therapy
Reminiscence Therapy
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
Reality Orientation
Occupational Therapy
Massage
TENS
Other Options
Summary
Dementia is a gradual loss of cognitive skills, including memory, problem-solving, and reasoning. There’s no cure for dementia, but medication, lifestyle adjustments, and alternative therapies can help improve mood and enhance the quality of life for people with dementia and their loved ones.Common causes of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, and liver failure.
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1. Talk Therapy
Talk therapyinvolves sessions with a trained therapist. Some describe it as psychotherapy or counseling. This type of interactive therapy can improve mood and provide insight into ways to adapt to circumstances.
Talk therapy can provide an opportunity for people withdementiaor for their loved ones to discuss their concerns honestly. Your therapist may also ask questions to help you understand and articulate your concerns as you express your thoughts and feelings to your therapist and yourself.
2. Reminiscence Therapy
This ongoing approach can help improve mood and motivation for people who have dementia.
4 Rs of DementiaA popular approach for people who have loved ones living with dementia is “The 4 Rs,” which include:ReassureRoutineReminisceRedirectThe idea behind these is to provide a sense of gentle consistency and familiarity,
4 Rs of Dementia
A popular approach for people who have loved ones living with dementia is “The 4 Rs,” which include:ReassureRoutineReminisceRedirectThe idea behind these is to provide a sense of gentle consistency and familiarity,
A popular approach for people who have loved ones living with dementia is “The 4 Rs,” which include:
The idea behind these is to provide a sense of gentle consistency and familiarity,
3. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
Cognitive stimulation therapy is an established method of care for people with dementia.It’s an approach of incorporating interesting and pleasantly challenging activities into therapy sessions and in daily life.
The idea behind cognitive stimulation is to maintain cognitive skills through hobbies, tasks, and games.
Cognitive stimulation can involve individual activities in different ways:
This type of therapy can be especially beneficial when a person who has dementia is interested in the activity and engaged. It’s not necessary to focus on right or wrong answers or high-level skills and challenges as long as a person is happy to participate.
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4. Reality Orientation Training
Reality orientation trainingis another dementia rehabilitation and therapy strategy. It’s incorporated with other therapeutic approaches, such as reminiscence therapy. Reality orientation centers around reminding a person of basic facts to help alleviate and avoid confusion and disorientation.
3 Golden Rules of DementiaThough reality orientation is beneficial for your loved one who is living with dementia, it’s also important to be respectful and to avoid upsetting them.The three golden rules of dementia are:Don’t ask direct questions.Listen to the expert—the person with dementia—and learn from them.Don’t contradict.
3 Golden Rules of Dementia
Though reality orientation is beneficial for your loved one who is living with dementia, it’s also important to be respectful and to avoid upsetting them.The three golden rules of dementia are:Don’t ask direct questions.Listen to the expert—the person with dementia—and learn from them.Don’t contradict.
Though reality orientation is beneficial for your loved one who is living with dementia, it’s also important to be respectful and to avoid upsetting them.
The three golden rules of dementia are:
5. Occupational Therapy
Some of the strategies you may learn could include leaving yourself reminders for appointments and medication, using devices that operate in a simple and familiar way, and wearing even clothes or shoes that are comfortable and easy to pull off and on.
As dementia worsens, chewing and eating can become challenging, which can lead to drooling and choking.Speech and swallow therapycan help you coordinate your chewing and swallowing for ease and safety.
6. Massage
Massage therapy is not an established technique for managing symptoms of dementia. However, a few studies point to potential benefits when caregivers provide massage and gentle touch for their loved ones with dementia.
Massage can provide a sense of security, safety, and reassurance for people with dementia. You and your family can decide whether this would benefit you.
7. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Electrical stimulation has been studied in research experiments as a potential approach for the treatment of dementia symptoms. Most of the experiments involved animals, but the few human studies conducted showed some promising outcomes.
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A Word From VerywellThe purpose of these adjunct practices is not to reverse or undo the progressive symptoms of dementia but rather to optimize the person’s baseline function, which can be significantly beneficial for a person with dementia and caregiver alike.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
The purpose of these adjunct practices is not to reverse or undo the progressive symptoms of dementia but rather to optimize the person’s baseline function, which can be significantly beneficial for a person with dementia and caregiver alike.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
The purpose of these adjunct practices is not to reverse or undo the progressive symptoms of dementia but rather to optimize the person’s baseline function, which can be significantly beneficial for a person with dementia and caregiver alike.
—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Other Treatment Options for Coping With Dementia
Dementia has several established treatment options. Medications approved for treating dementia have some benefits for some people. Several lifestyle adjustments can help reduce symptoms in the short term and may help slow the worsening of dementia.
Prescription Medications
A few different prescription medications are approved to treat dementia. Clinical trials have shown that these medications can slow the progress of dementia.Medications approved for treating dementia include:
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Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle strategies are a key component of managing dementia. Routines and habits that promote health and wellness can prevent medical problems that could worsen dementia. Additionally, these daily routines are crucial for emotional balance.
Lifestyle strategies to incorporate if you or a loved one has dementia include:
Keep in mind that these lifestyle modifications should be casual and pleasant—and not forced. For example, though it’s important to stay consistently active, skipping a daily outdoor walk once in a while when you don’t feel like it is fine.
7 Alternative Dementia Therapies to Help Relieve Symptoms
Living with dementia is challenging for both the person who is losing their abilities and for their loved ones and caregivers. In addition to taking prescription medication that’s approved for dementia treatment, you can incorporate lifestyle measures and alternative therapy interventions into your daily life to help slow the progression of dementia and diminish its impact.
Keeping a consistent environment and adjusting to the situation can help maintain safety and security, optimizing quality of life.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kume Y, Nagaoka M, Uemura S, et al.Effect of a multicomponent programme based on reality orientation therapy on the physical performance and cognitive function of elderly community-dwellers: a quasi-experimental study.Psychogeriatrics.2023;23(5):847-855. doi:10.1111/psyg.13008Sukhawathanakul P, Crizzle A, Tuokko H, et al.Psychotherapeutic interventions for dementia: a systematic review.Can Geriatr J.2021;24(3):222-236. doi:10.5770/cgj.24.447Liu YC, Lo YT, Peng HY, Song CY.Effectiveness of a home-based, family caregiver-administered manual massage intervention in managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.Geriatr Nurs. 2023;53:162-169. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.07.012Caramelli P, Marinho V, Laks J, et al.Treatment of dementia: recommendations of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.Dement Neuropsychol.2022;16(3 Suppl 1):88-100. doi:10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2022-S106PTNational Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.The Four Rs of dementia care: a guide for caregivers.Coşkun E, Çuhadar D.The effect of cognitive stimulation therapy on daily life activities, depression and life satisfaction of older adults living with dementia in nursing home: randomized controlled trial.Dementia (London). 2024:14713012241270852. doi:10.1177/14713012241270852Contented Dementia Trust.Three golden rules.Hafiz R, Alajlani L, Ali A, et al.The latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.Cureus.2023;15(12):e50522. doi:10.7759/cureus.50522National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.Yan L, Li H, Qian Y, et al.Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: a new strategy for Alzheimer’s disease intervention through the brain-gut-microbiota axis?Front Aging Neurosci. 2024;16:1334887. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1334887
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kume Y, Nagaoka M, Uemura S, et al.Effect of a multicomponent programme based on reality orientation therapy on the physical performance and cognitive function of elderly community-dwellers: a quasi-experimental study.Psychogeriatrics.2023;23(5):847-855. doi:10.1111/psyg.13008Sukhawathanakul P, Crizzle A, Tuokko H, et al.Psychotherapeutic interventions for dementia: a systematic review.Can Geriatr J.2021;24(3):222-236. doi:10.5770/cgj.24.447Liu YC, Lo YT, Peng HY, Song CY.Effectiveness of a home-based, family caregiver-administered manual massage intervention in managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.Geriatr Nurs. 2023;53:162-169. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.07.012Caramelli P, Marinho V, Laks J, et al.Treatment of dementia: recommendations of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.Dement Neuropsychol.2022;16(3 Suppl 1):88-100. doi:10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2022-S106PTNational Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.The Four Rs of dementia care: a guide for caregivers.Coşkun E, Çuhadar D.The effect of cognitive stimulation therapy on daily life activities, depression and life satisfaction of older adults living with dementia in nursing home: randomized controlled trial.Dementia (London). 2024:14713012241270852. doi:10.1177/14713012241270852Contented Dementia Trust.Three golden rules.Hafiz R, Alajlani L, Ali A, et al.The latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.Cureus.2023;15(12):e50522. doi:10.7759/cureus.50522National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.Yan L, Li H, Qian Y, et al.Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: a new strategy for Alzheimer’s disease intervention through the brain-gut-microbiota axis?Front Aging Neurosci. 2024;16:1334887. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1334887
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kume Y, Nagaoka M, Uemura S, et al.Effect of a multicomponent programme based on reality orientation therapy on the physical performance and cognitive function of elderly community-dwellers: a quasi-experimental study.Psychogeriatrics.2023;23(5):847-855. doi:10.1111/psyg.13008Sukhawathanakul P, Crizzle A, Tuokko H, et al.Psychotherapeutic interventions for dementia: a systematic review.Can Geriatr J.2021;24(3):222-236. doi:10.5770/cgj.24.447Liu YC, Lo YT, Peng HY, Song CY.Effectiveness of a home-based, family caregiver-administered manual massage intervention in managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.Geriatr Nurs. 2023;53:162-169. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.07.012Caramelli P, Marinho V, Laks J, et al.Treatment of dementia: recommendations of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.Dement Neuropsychol.2022;16(3 Suppl 1):88-100. doi:10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2022-S106PTNational Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.The Four Rs of dementia care: a guide for caregivers.Coşkun E, Çuhadar D.The effect of cognitive stimulation therapy on daily life activities, depression and life satisfaction of older adults living with dementia in nursing home: randomized controlled trial.Dementia (London). 2024:14713012241270852. doi:10.1177/14713012241270852Contented Dementia Trust.Three golden rules.Hafiz R, Alajlani L, Ali A, et al.The latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.Cureus.2023;15(12):e50522. doi:10.7759/cureus.50522National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.Yan L, Li H, Qian Y, et al.Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: a new strategy for Alzheimer’s disease intervention through the brain-gut-microbiota axis?Front Aging Neurosci. 2024;16:1334887. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1334887
Kume Y, Nagaoka M, Uemura S, et al.Effect of a multicomponent programme based on reality orientation therapy on the physical performance and cognitive function of elderly community-dwellers: a quasi-experimental study.Psychogeriatrics.2023;23(5):847-855. doi:10.1111/psyg.13008
Sukhawathanakul P, Crizzle A, Tuokko H, et al.Psychotherapeutic interventions for dementia: a systematic review.Can Geriatr J.2021;24(3):222-236. doi:10.5770/cgj.24.447
Liu YC, Lo YT, Peng HY, Song CY.Effectiveness of a home-based, family caregiver-administered manual massage intervention in managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.Geriatr Nurs. 2023;53:162-169. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.07.012
Caramelli P, Marinho V, Laks J, et al.Treatment of dementia: recommendations of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.Dement Neuropsychol.2022;16(3 Suppl 1):88-100. doi:10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2022-S106PT
National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.The Four Rs of dementia care: a guide for caregivers.
Coşkun E, Çuhadar D.The effect of cognitive stimulation therapy on daily life activities, depression and life satisfaction of older adults living with dementia in nursing home: randomized controlled trial.Dementia (London). 2024:14713012241270852. doi:10.1177/14713012241270852
Contented Dementia Trust.Three golden rules.
Hafiz R, Alajlani L, Ali A, et al.The latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.Cureus.2023;15(12):e50522. doi:10.7759/cureus.50522
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.
Yan L, Li H, Qian Y, et al.Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: a new strategy for Alzheimer’s disease intervention through the brain-gut-microbiota axis?Front Aging Neurosci. 2024;16:1334887. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1334887
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