Music and petting, alternative therapies for Alzheimer's

Music and petting, alternative therapies for Alzheimer's

Non-pharmacological treatments help these patients and their families to improve their quality of life

Music and petting, alternative therapies for Alzheimer's

ISABEL PERMUY

Caressing hands are very useful for those suffering from Alzheimer's in an advanced stage of the disease

Alzheimer's disease is incurable. However, there are developments that make it more bearable. Good examples are non-pharmacological therapies, "The cognitive stimulation, physical exercise or music can help these patients," explains Javier Olazarán, a neurologist and researcher at the Reina Sofía Foundation Alzheimer Center - A Century Foundation, a participant in the International Symposium I " advances in Research on geriatric Alzheimer's disease ', held in Salamanca.

Oddly enough, the "highly selected" music is a 'promising' therapy for this researcher, explaining its application 'group, personalized and even interpreted by the patients themselves. " Petting or massaging hands are also useful, especially in those where the disease "is well advanced and squeal or stir." Olazarán account how they perceived the agitation of these patients "decreases" to enjoy that contact.

Caregivers, whether professionals or relatives of the patient, benefit from these treatments are also seen. "We managed to reduce the suffering of the caregiver, improve their emotional situation, and that reverts to delay entry of the patient in a nursing home." One step, the latter, the neurologist understood as a "defeat" to be delayed "as much as possible."

Skeptical about a possible cure

For 15 years, both day centers and associations of relatives of people with Alzheimer working for these therapies are available to those affected. "What we lack is solid research projects," says Olazarán, who sees a "difficult" future in this regard, but that looks professional "with great enthusiasm and desire to move forward." In fact, welcomes the recent publication in Spain of the book "Advice caregiver Alzheimer's patient: a resource for socio-health professionals," the specialist Mary S. Mittleman. "Anyone with a medium-high training can access it and it is highly recommended to treat these patients," he says.