What non-pharmacological interventions are recommended for supporting patients with Alzheimer's disease?

For supporting patients with Alzheimer's disease, several non-pharmacological interventions are recommended, primarily for those with mild to moderate dementia:

• Activities to promote wellbeing: Offer a range of activities tailored to the person's preferences ².
• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Group CST is recommended for people living with mild to moderate dementia ¹,². This involves a range of activities and discussions aimed at improving general cognitive and social functioning ¹.
• Reminiscence Therapy: Consider group reminiscence therapy for people with mild to moderate dementia ¹,². This therapy uses objects to stimulate memory and help individuals value their experiences ¹.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation or Occupational Therapy: Consider these therapies to support functional ability in people with mild to moderate dementia ¹,². The goal is to address disability from cognitive impairment by identifying relevant goals, building on strengths, compensating for impairments, and supporting independence in daily life ¹.
• Psychosocial and Environmental Interventions: Offer these interventions to reduce distress in people living with dementia ¹,². This includes ensuring continued access to these interventions even when antipsychotics are used or stopped ¹.
• Personalised Activities for Agitation or Aggression: For individuals experiencing agitation or aggression, offer personalised activities to promote engagement, pleasure, and interest ¹,². Before starting any treatment for distress, conduct a structured assessment to explore reasons and address clinical or environmental causes like pain or delirium ¹,².
• Psychological Treatments for Depression and Anxiety: For people with mild to moderate dementia who have mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety, psychological treatments should be considered ¹,².
• Personalised Multicomponent Sleep Management: For sleep problems, consider an approach that includes sleep hygiene education, exposure to daylight, exercise, and personalised activities ¹,². Melatonin is not recommended for insomnia in people with Alzheimer's disease ¹,².