Abstract
The educational video No 1 focused on the psychosocial interventions for dementia care concentrating on specific outcomes including physical, cognitive, social interaction, and quality of life outcomes. The psychosocial interventions are evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatment options aiming to enhance the quality of peoples' lives.
It is a combination of different methods including implementation of suitable physical and mental exercises and encouraging people to participate in social activities. Targeting people's individual needs helps to prevent unnecessary administration of multiple medications that can lead to severe drug interactions.
These are often seen in situations when people's unmet needs are solved solely with pharmacological interventions. The evidence-based approach means using up-to-date evidence of effective practices.
They stem from the evaluations and conclusions of studies regarding the topics relevant to psychosocial interventions. The non-pharmacological treatment includes behavioural and occupational therapy, maintaining activities of daily life, and enhancing environmental skills of the clients.
The Alzheimer Association considers psychosocial interventions as the first choice when treating people with dementia. Pharmacological methods, on the other hand, should be a secondary solution to correcting behavioural changes.
The selected interventions should be individualized and carefully tailored to the clients' specific needs. High-quality health and social assessments, and evaluations of individual needs are essential.
The resulting intervention plan needs to be harmonized with the client's living environment, as well as with the other caregivers, experts, and institutions. The emphasis of the psychosocial approach is on learning how people with dementia feel, think, and behave.
It involves sensitive education of the caregivers, both professionals and relatives. It requires a combination of knowledge, communication skills, empathy, high moral integrity, and ethical principles.
Factors linked to the low quality of life include agitation or apathy, pain, social isolation, other health challenges, and unmet needs.On the other hand, factors linked to a better quality of life are healthy relationships with family and friends, participation in social activities, maintaining independence, and enjoying spiritual life. In the video we also discussed the most common psychosocial interventions and their characteristics.