The Effects on Cognitive, Emotional, and Physical Functions of the Elderly at Local Senior Center from Dementia Prevention Program for the Dementia Safety Village

Abstract

This non-synchronized design research tested the effects of dementia prevention program on cognitive and emotional functions, and activities of daily living of subjects in The Dementia Safety Village by National Responsibility System for Dementia. The subjects were 11 elders at local elderly center of The Dementia Safety Village. Outcome variables include cognition (MMSE-DS: Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Scale), emotion (SGDS-K: Short form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version), and physical function (IADL: Instrumental Activity of Daily Living). The program provided two hours per a session per week for eight weeks. After completing the program, the score of MMSE-DS, a tool for cognitive function evaluation, increased with a statistically significant figure (t = –3.35, p = 0.007). The score of SGDS-K, which evaluated emotional function, increased, though it did not reach in a statistically significant level (t = –0.482, p = 0.640). The score of IADL showed no a statistically significant figure (t = 0.680, p = 0.512), but the mean showed a slight decreased figure (pre 12.00 ± 4.49, post 11.00 ± 2.19). Based on these results, the dementia program may be used for dementia prevention to the patients of The Dementia Safety Village. This research suggests that an appropriate program for the prevention of dementia needed to be developed further in the future.