Abstract
Cognitive impairment is associated with increased risk for progression to dementia and functional disability. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an educational program for the caregivers of elderly persons in improving their cognitive impairment. This quasi-experimental design with pre-post assessment was conducted at four geriatric care homes in Cairo governorate on 34 elderly persons having cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score 19 to 24). The researchers prepared the training program for the caregivers. It included knowledge about dementia, instructions to deal with the elderly persons, and a practical part focused on memory aids. The effectiveness of the program was measured by comparing the weekly morning and evening MMSE scores, and comparing the baseline (pre-test) and 8-week (post-test) MMSE scores. The data was from August 2012 to April 2013. The results showed statistically significant improvements in elderly’s MMSE scores (p<0.001). The total MMSE score improved by 3.50 points. All elderly had cognitive impairment before the intervention; this decreased to 29.4% after the intervention (p<0.001). The improvement was markedly higher in the morning measurements compared with the evening ones. In multivariate analysis, the intervention was a statistically significant independent predictor of the improvement in the total MMSE score, in addition to the educational level. In conclusion, training the caregivers of elderly people in mental stimulation and memory aids can improve the cognitive impairment among these persons. The findings corroborate the need for developing intervention programs that equip the caregivers of elderly people with non-pharmacological management strategies that enable them to improve their cognitive impairment. Further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of memory aids in improving the memory of elderly at different stages of dementia.
Highlights
Age-related decline in episodic memory, attention, and executive function is reported in both longitudinal [1] and cross-sectional [2] studies
The total Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score improved by 3.50 points
It can be concluded that training the caregivers of elderly people in mental stimulation and memory aids can improve the cognitive impairment among these persons
Summary
Age-related decline in episodic memory, attention, and executive function is reported in both longitudinal [1] and cross-sectional [2] studies. Cognitive impairment that does not reach the threshold for dementia diagnosis is associated with increased risk for progression to dementia [3], and increased functional disability [4]. The high prevalence of cognitive impairment with advancing age, together with rapid demographic ageing, underlines the importance of developing interventions to improve or maintain cognitive function in later life [5]. The criteria set for MCI diagnosis are i) the person is neither normal nor demented; ii) there is evidence of cognitive deterioration shown by either objectively measured decline over time and/or a subjective report of decline by self and/or informant in conjunction with objective cognitive deficits; and iii) activities of daily living are preserved and complex instrumental functions are either intact or minimally impaired [9]
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