154 Specialised Memory and Attention Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) Programme

Abstract

Abstract Background The population of Ireland is ageing and the number of people with dementia in the coming years will be significant and could be as high as 132,000 people by 2041 (Pierce et al 2014). This estimated prediction highlighted the importance and value of developing and implementing interventions that will meet the needs of individuals with dementia and their carers in the community. We identified the need for a cognitive rehabilitation programme in an acute hospital and developed the “Specialised Memory and Attention Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) Programme”. The aim of the programme is to improve quality of life, cognitive ability and performance of meaningful occupations for individuals with dementia in the community. Methods The SMART programme uses an evidence based approach of education, process training, strategy training and function for delivery to individuals with dementia and their carers. It is a seven week programme with a three month follow up appointment. Weeks one, seven and three month follow up are 1:1 assessments where outcome measures are completed. There is a group intervention programme for five weeks which includes a patient booklet with education sheets, strategy, work and homework sheets as well as functional tasks. Results There was statistically significant results pre and post intervention in the Rivermead Behavioural Memory test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Functional Independence Measure and the DEMQoL – Dementia quality of life questionnaire. Overall, the results showed statistically significant improvements in memory function, clinically significant gains in terms of perceived functional performance & satisfaction and objective and significant improvements in functional performance. Conclusion The findings have demonstrated potential to significantly improve participants’ cognitive function and have shown functional significant gains as a result both objectively and subjectively. The findings have also demonstrated the feasibility of successfully implementing a cognitive rehabilitation programme on an outpatient basis in an acute hospital setting.