The objective of the new rehabilitation plan with play therapy for Alzheimer’s patients at the IMSS. It is to limit the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life of those who suffer from this degenerative disease of the central nervous system.
Alzheimer’s patients: Therapies aim to try to limit the progress of the disease
The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) provides a rehabilitation plan with play therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. The above, through various therapies and games, which aims to try to limit the progress of the disease. As well as improving the quality of life of those who suffer from this degenerative disease of the central nervous system.
Dr. Leticia Martha Hernández Juárez, head of the Clinical Neurology Department of the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) La Raza. The expert pointed out that this intervention is offered to the relatives of the patient with the disease, so that they can carry it out at home in an atmosphere of affection and respect.
How do the therapies work?
On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day, which is commemorated on September 21. He explained that with the support of specialists in the area of Psychology and Neuropsychology, the damaged cognitive functions of the patient are reviewed to explore how they develop their knowledge and solve problems. And thus design tasks to partially recover memory, calculation and orientation, aspects that are progressively lost due to Alzheimer’s.
He explained that the collaboration of the family is promoted to organize games such as lottery. Which allows us to use the senses and relate image, word and voice “to reconnect or make synapses in the knowledge circuit. The same happens with memorama and other board games or school games such as timbiriche, enough, crossword puzzles and word search ”.
Games must be in pairs
Dr. Hernández Juárez added that games should be in pairs, since people with dementia or Alzheimer’s have a low tolerance for frustration due to not remembering things. So with the accompaniment of a friend or family member to help, guide and motivate “the patient sees that another can also be wrong and right like him.”
The IMSS specialist called on the population to show empathy and solidarity with people with this disease. As well as their families, who require great strength on a day-to-day basis.
Pharmacological treatment is also provided
He stressed that along with rehabilitation with play therapy, good nutrition of the patient must be ensured. In order to avoid the onset or progression of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease that aggravate the state of health and put life at risk.
In addition, he said, pharmacological treatment is provided for the appearance of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, if they are very restless or aggressive. Currently there is no drug or therapy that is capable of curing Alzheimer’s.
There are people with Alzheimer’s between the ages of 35 and 40
Dr. Hernández Juárez pointed out that there are people with cognitive impairment or dementia that is not associated with Alzheimer’s and can be reversible when receiving timely treatment such as in cases of hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, use of drugs that promote intestinal motility due to gastroesophageal reflux and increased cerebrospinal fluid due to normotensive hydrocephalus (Hakim-Adams syndrome).
He indicated that although the majority of cases occur after 60 years of age, with a higher prevalence after 85 years.
There are people with Alzheimer’s between the ages of 35 and 40, so when faced with symptoms such as difficulty remembering events, solving problems or completing daily tasks at home or work, request medical attention to reach a timely diagnosis and more intervention. adequate.
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