DANCERS: An Education Tool for Mild Cognitive Impairment & Dementia
Raise your hand if you have a client with cognitive impairments on your caseload right now. Everyone? I thought so! Unfortunately, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementias are becoming more and more prevalent. The Alzheimer's Association expects a threefold increase in Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnoses over the next 30 years. Education is particularly important for our MCI patients because MCI often precedes dementia. But a diagnosis of MCI doesn't necessarily mean your patient will get dementia. Up to 50% of individuals with MCI may remain stable or even improve to age-typical with changes to lifestyle and a focus on compensation to stay independent. The World Health Organization estimates 40% of dementia cases might be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. Shocking, right?
With a rising patient population, it's critical for SLPs and other healthcare professionals to not just assess and treat but also educate our patients and their loved ones about cognitive decline.
Educate Using "DANCERS"
No, not the ballerina kind of dancer. DANCERS is an acronym created to help educate cognitively impaired patients, specifically MCI and dementias, about modifying their habits to live a brain-healthy lifestyle. DANCERS stands for disease management, activity, nutrition, cognitive stimulation, social engagement, relaxation, and sleep hygiene.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Treating and managing risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and hearing loss. Have your doctor assess which of your current medications may increase cognitive difficulties.
ACTIVITY
Research suggests that even light physical activity has positive benefits for individuals with MCI. Try adding exercise throughout each day like walking or other aerobic exercises, resistance training, or tai chi.
NUTRITION
Watch your caloric intake, limit unhealthy fats, and follow diets associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline. For example, a Mediterranean-style diet focuses on olive oil, vegetables, fruits, red wine, fish, nuts, and poultry and avoids red meat, butter, and cream.
COGNITIVE STIMULATION
Engage in cognitively stimulating leisure activities such as reading, learning new skills, drawing, and music. The activities you choose should be both challenging and enjoyable. So that means, even if you've heard that crossword puzzles are great for older adults, if you don't enjoy them, then don't do them!
ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHERS SOCIALLY
Loneliness is an identified risk factor for cognitive decline. It is essential to participate in both social activities with others and conversations.
RELAXATION
This can come in the form of meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation. Relaxation helps reduce the adverse effects of stress, inflammation and can combat depression and anxiety.
SLEEP HYGIENE
One function of deep sleep is to allow the brain time to clear toxins, including amyloid proteins (one of the proteins associated with dementia). Research suggests that successful sleep can delay the progression of cognitive disease.
SLPs, let's start providing this critical education to our cognitively impaired patients at risk for dementia. When taking a proactive stance to management, we can help our clients make informed lifestyle changes and give them a better shot at living independently as long as possible. I've created a free downloadable handout that outlines the DANCERS education strategies you can start providing to your patients today! Your clients will thank you for it!
References:
Lanzi, A. M., Ellison, J. M., & Cohen, M. L. (2021). The "Counseling+" Roles of the Speech-Language Pathologist Serving Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia From Alzheimer's Disease. SIG 2 Perspectives: Neurogenic Communication Disorders 6(5), 987-1002.
Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., Brayne, C., Burns, A., Cohen-Mansfield, J., Cooper, C., Costafreda, S. G., Dias, A., Fox, N., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Ogunniyi, A., . . . Mukadam, N. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Katie is the owner and founder of Neuro Speech Solutions. She is passionate about providing person-centered treatment to her clients in order to meet their life participation goals. Katie is dedicated to helping other SLPs provide functional therapy through affordable materials and education courses.
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