- Email: [email protected]
SOCIAL RECREATION: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH
Poster Presentations: Monday, July 25, 2016
P2-401
SINGING MY WAY BACK TO YOU: LEARNINGS FROM THE INTERGENERATIONAL CHOIR PROJECT FOR SINGERS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, THEIR CAREGIVERS, MUSIC EDUCATORS, AND STUDENTS
Carol A. Beynon1, Betsy Little2, Kathy McNaughton3, Jeffrey G. Beynon4, Jennifer M. J. Lang Hutchison5, Nancy O’Regan2, 1University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; 2Alzheimer’s Society of London & Middlesex, London, ON, Canada; 3Thames Valley District School Board, Arva, ON, Canada; 4Thames Valley District School Board, London, ON, Canada; 5University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Background: There is a growing body of evidence that musical interventions have the temporary capacity to evoke emotions, influence mood, reduce emotional and behavioural disturbances, relieve pain, and improve quality of life in persons with dementia. While there is literature that describes the role of music listening, sing-alongs, and other activities as therapies for persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, there is little in the literature about the role of new learning through singing for those with AD. In this session, we report on a study of an innovative and collaborative intergenerational choral program that brings together persons with AD, their caregivers, high school students, and their music teachers. We articulate the role that the choir plays in providing: new learning opportunities for persons with AD; music and health education for adolescent students; respite, reunion, and learning opportunities for caregivers; and, professional and personal development for music educators. We report on the observed and emergent themes from the data, that relate to Learning, consisting of Learning about: i) Self, about singing; ii) Personhood & Identity; iii) Defining and Rekindling Relationships; iv) Health & Well-being; and, v) Affective and Aesthetic Engagement & Agency in Response to Singing Using these themes, we articulate the curriculum, process, and outcomes to map and describe the learning outcomes. As a result of the success of this choral program in the aforementioned areas, it has been shared and developed in centres across Ontario, and even to Norway. P2-402
SOCIAL RECREATION: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH
Katie Berkelmans, Susan Oster, Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex, London, ON, Canada. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Background: In 2010 the Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex (ASLM) acknowledged a gap in services for those living in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (ADOD). There was a need for programs which provide social, emotional, cognitive and physical stimulation in shorter time spans than a full day at a day program. Research suggests recreational programming may improve one’s quality of life by maintaining functional ability and independence while slowing down the progression of the disease. Method: In 2010 ASLM began to offer a variety of social recreation programs to our clients in the early to middle stages of ADOD. ASLM’s programs include cooking, exercise, knitting, scrapbooking, art, gardening and music. The curriculum for the program activities build on strengths, positive emotion, meaningful moments, enjoyment, challenges and development. The clients are paired 1:1 with volunteers providing socialization and engagement on the task. Results: In the last five years the social recreation programs have grown fivefold. ASLM started with just one cooking program and has expanded to eight different programs extending our services throughout the London
P799
and Middlesex County. For caregivers, the respite time has lowered levels of stress and burden. For the clients, the programs have been a safe place to connect with others going through the same experiences while improving skills in all domains and providing a sense of accomplishment. This has been a good starting point and “First Link” in the early stages of the disease for both the client and the family to get connected with the Alzheimer Society earlier for ongoing support such as education and counselling. Conclusion: Physicians have increasingly been “prescribing” physical, mental and social leisure activities as viable treatment options for ADOD. Recreation improves persons with dementia quality of life by providing an enjoyable atmosphere to develop and maintain important skills. ASLM’s programs provide people living with ADOD experience participating in recreational programs in the early to mid-stages of their disease. The transition to full-day programming, which is brought on by the progression of their illness, may be smoother for people who have participated in these programs. P2-403
TARGETING MCI WITH CARDIAC REHABILITATION EXERCISE: A FEASIBILITY STUDY
Laura E. Middleton1, Nic Hobson1, Krista L. Lanctot2,3,4,5, Nathan Herrmann2,3,4,5, Paul I. Oh5,6, Sandra E. Black3,5,7,8, 1University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; 2University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 3Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; 4 Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Toronto, ON, Canada; 5 Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; 6University Health Network Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; 7 Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 8LC Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. Contact e-mail: laura.middleton@ uwaterloo.ca Background: Growing evidence suggests that exercise may improve
cognition and function among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s disease (EAD). However, there is no widely available exercise program in Canada targeted to people with MCI/EAD. The objective of this analysis was to determine the feasibility of using the cardiac rehabilitation exercise model (which is widely available across Canada) for people with MCI/ EAD. Methods: Sixteen people (>65 years) with MCI/EAD were recruited to the study, which included a 3-month control period followed by a 6-month cardiac rehabilitation exercise program. The cardiac rehab program included one supervised session/wk and prescribed exercise 4 days/wk to be completed in the community. Exercise prescriptions were individualized but included 5 days/wk of aerobic activity and 2 days/wk of resistance training. Feasibility was determined by completion rates, reasons for drop outs, and reports from therapists delivering the program. Results: Of 16 people recruited to the study, 13 completed the control period. Drop outs occurred due to enrolment in another study (n¼2) and a spouse’s death (n¼1). Of the 13 who started the exercise program, 9 completed the program (69.2%), 8 of whom completed the final assessment (61.5%). Drop outs occurred due to illness of the spouse (n¼2), excess time demands on the care partner (n¼1), and health issues (n¼1). Program therapists indicated the exercise model was feasible with variable adaptations by participant, from none at all to communicating schedule and prescription to the care partner. The program appeared to be tolerable, with no adverse events reported. Conclusion: Our preliminary analysis suggests that the cardiac rehabilitation exercise program is feasible for individuals with MCI/EAD. Adaptations for people
P2-401
SINGING MY WAY BACK TO YOU: LEARNINGS FROM THE INTERGENERATIONAL CHOIR PROJECT FOR SINGERS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, THEIR CAREGIVERS, MUSIC EDUCATORS, AND STUDENTS
Carol A. Beynon1, Betsy Little2, Kathy McNaughton3, Jeffrey G. Beynon4, Jennifer M. J. Lang Hutchison5, Nancy O’Regan2, 1University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; 2Alzheimer’s Society of London & Middlesex, London, ON, Canada; 3Thames Valley District School Board, Arva, ON, Canada; 4Thames Valley District School Board, London, ON, Canada; 5University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Background: There is a growing body of evidence that musical interventions have the temporary capacity to evoke emotions, influence mood, reduce emotional and behavioural disturbances, relieve pain, and improve quality of life in persons with dementia. While there is literature that describes the role of music listening, sing-alongs, and other activities as therapies for persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, there is little in the literature about the role of new learning through singing for those with AD. In this session, we report on a study of an innovative and collaborative intergenerational choral program that brings together persons with AD, their caregivers, high school students, and their music teachers. We articulate the role that the choir plays in providing: new learning opportunities for persons with AD; music and health education for adolescent students; respite, reunion, and learning opportunities for caregivers; and, professional and personal development for music educators. We report on the observed and emergent themes from the data, that relate to Learning, consisting of Learning about: i) Self, about singing; ii) Personhood & Identity; iii) Defining and Rekindling Relationships; iv) Health & Well-being; and, v) Affective and Aesthetic Engagement & Agency in Response to Singing Using these themes, we articulate the curriculum, process, and outcomes to map and describe the learning outcomes. As a result of the success of this choral program in the aforementioned areas, it has been shared and developed in centres across Ontario, and even to Norway. P2-402
SOCIAL RECREATION: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH
Katie Berkelmans, Susan Oster, Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex, London, ON, Canada. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Background: In 2010 the Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex (ASLM) acknowledged a gap in services for those living in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (ADOD). There was a need for programs which provide social, emotional, cognitive and physical stimulation in shorter time spans than a full day at a day program. Research suggests recreational programming may improve one’s quality of life by maintaining functional ability and independence while slowing down the progression of the disease. Method: In 2010 ASLM began to offer a variety of social recreation programs to our clients in the early to middle stages of ADOD. ASLM’s programs include cooking, exercise, knitting, scrapbooking, art, gardening and music. The curriculum for the program activities build on strengths, positive emotion, meaningful moments, enjoyment, challenges and development. The clients are paired 1:1 with volunteers providing socialization and engagement on the task. Results: In the last five years the social recreation programs have grown fivefold. ASLM started with just one cooking program and has expanded to eight different programs extending our services throughout the London
P799
and Middlesex County. For caregivers, the respite time has lowered levels of stress and burden. For the clients, the programs have been a safe place to connect with others going through the same experiences while improving skills in all domains and providing a sense of accomplishment. This has been a good starting point and “First Link” in the early stages of the disease for both the client and the family to get connected with the Alzheimer Society earlier for ongoing support such as education and counselling. Conclusion: Physicians have increasingly been “prescribing” physical, mental and social leisure activities as viable treatment options for ADOD. Recreation improves persons with dementia quality of life by providing an enjoyable atmosphere to develop and maintain important skills. ASLM’s programs provide people living with ADOD experience participating in recreational programs in the early to mid-stages of their disease. The transition to full-day programming, which is brought on by the progression of their illness, may be smoother for people who have participated in these programs. P2-403
TARGETING MCI WITH CARDIAC REHABILITATION EXERCISE: A FEASIBILITY STUDY
Laura E. Middleton1, Nic Hobson1, Krista L. Lanctot2,3,4,5, Nathan Herrmann2,3,4,5, Paul I. Oh5,6, Sandra E. Black3,5,7,8, 1University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; 2University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 3Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; 4 Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Toronto, ON, Canada; 5 Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; 6University Health Network Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; 7 Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 8LC Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. Contact e-mail: laura.middleton@ uwaterloo.ca Background: Growing evidence suggests that exercise may improve
cognition and function among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s disease (EAD). However, there is no widely available exercise program in Canada targeted to people with MCI/EAD. The objective of this analysis was to determine the feasibility of using the cardiac rehabilitation exercise model (which is widely available across Canada) for people with MCI/ EAD. Methods: Sixteen people (>65 years) with MCI/EAD were recruited to the study, which included a 3-month control period followed by a 6-month cardiac rehabilitation exercise program. The cardiac rehab program included one supervised session/wk and prescribed exercise 4 days/wk to be completed in the community. Exercise prescriptions were individualized but included 5 days/wk of aerobic activity and 2 days/wk of resistance training. Feasibility was determined by completion rates, reasons for drop outs, and reports from therapists delivering the program. Results: Of 16 people recruited to the study, 13 completed the control period. Drop outs occurred due to enrolment in another study (n¼2) and a spouse’s death (n¼1). Of the 13 who started the exercise program, 9 completed the program (69.2%), 8 of whom completed the final assessment (61.5%). Drop outs occurred due to illness of the spouse (n¼2), excess time demands on the care partner (n¼1), and health issues (n¼1). Program therapists indicated the exercise model was feasible with variable adaptations by participant, from none at all to communicating schedule and prescription to the care partner. The program appeared to be tolerable, with no adverse events reported. Conclusion: Our preliminary analysis suggests that the cardiac rehabilitation exercise program is feasible for individuals with MCI/EAD. Adaptations for people