ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study is to assess whether a tailored activity program (TAP) affects patients’ dementia-related neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms, promotes their activity engagement, or enhances caregiver well-being. Methods : Between June to October of 2009, a TAP was applied to 4 dementia patients and 4 of their family caregivers. The TAP was applied 2 times a week for 7 weeks to the patients, who are visitors of the Y-city Center for Managing Dementia in Gyeonggi-do. The TAP, conducted through home visitations, was based on human occupation. It was advanced in order to ascertain neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms and provide a case study of caregiver burden. Results : Compared to the period prior to taking the TAP, the neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms of dementia severity and frequency scores decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, the neuropsychiatric behavior symptoms of dementia-related caregiver burden was significantly statistically reduced. Conclusion : A TAP based on human occupation seems to have an effect in progressing a patient's ADL capabilities, and in reducing their neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms and the physiological responsibilities of their caregivers.