ACC Therapeutic Activities and Engagement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which principle best describes why familiar music is particularly effective for individuals with Alzheimer's disease?
- Music activates the prefrontal cortex, which is preserved longest in Alzheimer's
- Musical memories are stored in brain areas that are relatively resistant to Alzheimer's damage (Correct answer)
- Music increases cortisol levels, temporarily improving cognition
- Familiar music creates new neural pathways that reverse dementia symptoms
Correct answer: Musical memories are stored in brain areas that are relatively resistant to Alzheimer's damage
Musical memories are encoded in areas like the cerebellum and auditory cortex that are often preserved longer in Alzheimer's, which is why familiar music tends to elicit strong emotional and memory responses.
Question 2: A resident with moderate-stage Alzheimer's becomes agitated every afternoon. Which therapeutic activity strategy is most appropriate?
- Schedule a complex new board game to keep the mind stimulated during that time
- Introduce a calm, familiar, repetitive activity before agitation typically begins (Correct answer)
- Restrict activities during the afternoon to minimize stimulation
- Engage the resident in group debate sessions to redirect their focus
Correct answer: Introduce a calm, familiar, repetitive activity before agitation typically begins
Proactively introducing a calm, familiar activity before the typical onset of sundowning or agitation can prevent escalation by providing structured, soothing engagement.
Question 3: Which approach best supports the concept of 'purposeful activity' for a person with Alzheimer's who was formerly a carpenter?
- Enroll them in abstract art classes to stimulate creativity
- Provide simple woodworking tasks or handling tools that connect to their occupational identity (Correct answer)
- Avoid carpentry-related activities due to potential safety risks
- Offer carpentry documentaries to watch passively
Correct answer: Provide simple woodworking tasks or handling tools that connect to their occupational identity
Purposeful activities tied to a person's occupational history leverage procedural memory and identity, promoting engagement, dignity, and a sense of competence.
Question 4: When selecting tactile activities for a person in late-stage Alzheimer's, what is the primary consideration?
- The activity must produce a finished product to give a sense of accomplishment
- Textures and materials should be safe, comfortable, and stimulating without requiring fine motor precision (Correct answer)
- The activity must be completed independently without caregiver assistance
- Only activities with educational content should be selected
Correct answer: Textures and materials should be safe, comfortable, and stimulating without requiring fine motor precision
In late-stage Alzheimer's, the focus shifts to sensory stimulation and comfort rather than task completion or independence, so safe and pleasant tactile materials are key.
Question 5: A caregiver notices that a resident with Alzheimer's becomes distressed when shown family photo albums. What is the most appropriate response?
- Continue showing photos to stimulate memory recall regardless of distress
- Remove the photos immediately and choose a different activity that brings comfort (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident to identify each person to improve cognitive function
- Interpret the distress as therapeutic grief work and encourage it
Correct answer: Remove the photos immediately and choose a different activity that brings comfort
If a particular activity causes distress, caregivers should immediately discontinue it and redirect to a comforting alternative, as the goal of therapeutic activity is well-being, not distress.
Question 6: Which environmental modification most supports engagement during activity time for a person with Alzheimer's?
- Maintaining a brightly lit, noisy environment to maximize sensory input
- Reducing background noise and distractions to promote focus on the activity (Correct answer)
- Arranging seating so the person is isolated from others to minimize confusion
- Using fluorescent overhead lighting to maximize visibility
Correct answer: Reducing background noise and distractions to promote focus on the activity
Reducing background noise and distractions helps a person with Alzheimer's focus on the activity at hand, as they have reduced ability to filter competing stimuli.
Question 7: What does the term 'reminiscence therapy' refer to in the context of Alzheimer's care?
- A technique that uses medication to trigger forgotten memories
- A structured activity using past events, photos, or objects to encourage recall and discussion of personal history (Correct answer)
- A form of reality orientation that corrects mistaken beliefs about the past
- A therapeutic approach that discourages dwelling on the past to focus on present functioning
Correct answer: A structured activity using past events, photos, or objects to encourage recall and discussion of personal history
Reminiscence therapy uses personally meaningful materials from the past to stimulate long-term memory, encourage communication, and improve mood and self-esteem.
ACC Therapeutic Activities and Engagement 2
Which principle best describes why familiar music is particularly effective for individuals with Alzheimer's disease?