Psychosocial Intervention of Alzheimer's Disease

Keimyung Medical Journal 1997;16(3):375-381.

Alzheimer병의 정신사회적 치료

오병훈

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is the most typical progressive and irreversible dementia syndrome characterized by loss of intellectual capacity in many domains, altered behavior, inability to care for oneself and ultimately neurologic abnormalities. But, unfortunately, the exact cause of AD is still unknown and there is no definite treatment for AD. In the treatment of AD, the focus is limited to relief of cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Among treatment modalities of AD, biomedical intervention is focused on organic cause, individual pathology and cognitive symptomatology. But, both biomedical and psychosocial factors must be well integrated for the effective management of AD. However, recently, little attention has been given to the psychosocial implications of AD. Psychosocial intervention is much helpful in maintaining human interaction and personal identity. Through the psychosocial intervention, behavior problems might be understood as evidence of premorbid coping styles, searches for security, or activity patterns associated with previous work roles. Psychosocial intervention is mainly composed of psychotherapy, day care, nursing home, case management and social care. Comprehensive understanding of various psychosocial issues and psychosocial services is very important for successful psychosocial intervention. So, to understand and treat AD, all biopsychosocial factors must be examined and simultaneously psychosocial intervention must be considered for patients and family members and other caregivers.

Key Words: alzheimer병, 정신사회적치료, Alzheimer's disease, Psychosocial intervention