Alzheimer’s disease: stimulate cognitive functions
We have a mistaken view of what a person with Alzheimer’s disease. We see her without reactions, without pleasures, without feelings. “But this disease does not mean the end of physical and mental life, nor of all relational pleasure,” explains Dr Olivier de Ladoucette, psychiatrist and gerontologist. Today, medical teams encourage anything that stimulates the cognitive and motor functions of patients. Alongside speech therapy, occupational therapy (relearning everyday gestures), physiotherapy, they are also offered art therapy, music therapy, cooking or gardening workshops.
“All these treatments aim to maintain a form of sociability, to create a relationship, which helps to restore self-esteem, which has been reduced by the disease”, adds the doctor. Psychotherapy also has its place at the beginning, because the patient needs to express his suffering. Listening attentively can allay his anxiety. As each patient is particular, a program is set up, depending on the stage of development of his disease, his personality, his resources. Because all these therapies are not reimbursed.
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“During the activities, the important thing is the relationship forged with the therapist, the professional who invests himself in front of his patient”, specifies Dr. de Ladoucette. Relatives are not excluded, on the contrary! This type of care is also intended for those around them, who need to talk and communicate. If the patient is attending an art therapy workshop, relatives are therefore advised to do so with him. “When a patient and his or her partner participate together, it’s very positive for both,” says Dr. de Ladoucette.
At Villa Epidaure, a pilot establishment in this area in La Celle-Saint-Cloud (78), it is not uncommon to see three generations looking at the same sheet of paper. Grandmother, daughter and granddaughter create together in joy and gentleness, and it is as if the disease has disappeared in this benevolent bubble. A recent study has shown that, in patients who benefit from art therapy, the consumption of psychotropic drugs (drugs) decreases. Provided they are regular and followed with pleasure (if not, the person drops out), these activities improve well-being. This has positive effects on mood, anxiety and behavioral difficulties.
Emotions and creative possibilities are less affected than intellectual functions by Alzheimer’s disease, which does not affect all areas of the brain in the same way. This is why art therapy and music therapy are very suitable. “The surprises of creation are present at each workshop, even at an advanced stage of the disease”, notes Bruno Sari, who, since 2003, has been leading workshops in five specialized establishments in Ile-de-France.
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The painter accompanies the creations, without imposing a theme or an object to be reproduced. “We dialogue with the brush,” he explains. A large table, beautiful papers, large brushes, music… The setting is reassuring, cheerful, to encourage them to paint naturally. Totally taken by creation, they put their illness on hold, which brings relief.
“Some need to talk, others continue alone, left in their reverie, says Bruno. There are those who paint with a technique they have retained, a reminiscence that reassures them and encourages them to continue. Others paint surprising things. Little by little, over time, most of them acquire a real style, undoubtedly revealing their buried personality. Proof that we must continue to activate the life drive hidden behind the disease. “
These people, who were seen only in a negative light, thus arouse astonishment, even admiration… They are often proud to show their drawings, which families keep, happy to have the trace of something positive. .
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