Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 36 No. 8 August 2010
By David E. Vance, PhD, MGS; Yvonne D. Eaves, PhD, RN; Norman L. Keltner, EdD, RN; Thomas S. Struzick, MEd, MSW/ACSW, LCSW
ABSTRACT
Procedural and Emotional Religious Activity Therapy encapsulates an approach to engaging older adults with Alzheimer’s disease in meaningful activities that can be performed within the parameters of their cognitive functioning. Alzheimer’s disease disrupts some brain structures more than others, resulting in a disproportionate loss of certain cognitive abilities. Explicit (conscious) memory skills are disrupted first, followed by implicit (unconscious) memory skills, and lastly emotional memory. Activities relying more on implicit and emotional memory, such as specially selected religious activities, are more likely to be used by patients. Steps and caveats of using this approach are provided.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Vance is Associate Professor, and Dr. Eaves is Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, and Mr. Struzick is Associate Director, Community Health Resource Development Core, Center for the Study of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Keltner is Professor, Department of Nursing, California State University, Bakersfield, California.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. Work on this article was supported by grant K01 AG022474-01A1 to Yvonne D. Eaves from the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health.
Address correspondence to David E. Vance, PhD, MGS, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1701 University Boulevard, Room 456, Birmingham, AL 35294-1210; e-mail: devance@uab.edu.
doi:10.3928/00989134-20100303-04
