A Structured Cognitive Intervention Pathway as a decision-support tool for non-pharmacological interventions within a dementia care service (Innovative practice)

Dementia (London). 2021 Jan;20(1):398-409. doi: 10.1177/1471301219886243. Epub 2019 Nov 10.

Abstract

Individual cognitive interventions for Alzheimer's disease have been shown to be beneficial and cost effective when evaluated as sole interventions. However, there is a need for a systematic, person-centric, structured approach to guide non-pharmacological intervention selection based on disease stage, symptoms, outcome assessment, and individual requirements. Our Structured Cognitive Intervention Pathway aims to facilitate the selection of first-line, or subsequent, non-pharmacological management for people with Alzheimer's disease living at home and in elderly care facilities. We discuss the Pathway's conceptual basis and evaluation of implementation as a decision-support tool within a dementia care service in China.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; cognitive interventions; dementia; non-pharmacological interventions; social care.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease*
  • China
  • Cognition
  • Dementia* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care