The DSM-5 lists multiple disorders under the classification of neurocognitive disorders. For this research question, please identify one neurocognitive disorder and locate at least one peer-reviewed journal article that provides an intervention strategy for that disorder.
For your discussion post:
- Define the neurocognitive disorder you are most interested in.
- Discuss the intervention strategy you identified through your research and provide an APA-formatted reference. In addition:
o Provide an analysis of this intervention.
- Explain what you as a leader within the social work sector would recommend to your community as an intervention for this particular diagnosis, including your rationale for recommending it.
Neurocognitive Disorders
Definition
Dementia is one of the groups of neurocognitive disorders and is a collective term that describes different levels of cognitive decline, including memory, communication, and thinking. Dementia is a symptom of underlying brain illnesses that cause a progressive decline in cognitive capabilities.
Intervention Strategy
One of the interventions for dementia in peer-reviewed journals is animal-assisted therapy, which involves providing an animal companion to the affected person with the therapeutic objective of improving dementia symptoms (Wood et al., 2017). The choice of the animal, such as a dog, is informed by the patient’s need and therapeutic intention. Research has revealed the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy in improving social behavior, physical activity, dietary intake, and an impact on aggressive behavior and general quality of life (Yakimicki et al., 2019). The intervention is necessary since dementia has no cure and its symptoms are life-long.
The Intervention Analysis
The therapeutic intervention involves choosing an animal (any animal species can be used) considered a suitable companion to the patient to improve symptoms and signs of dementia. Current evidence suggests that animal-assisted interventions are effective in enhancing memory and physical activity, which are necessary for a better quality of life (Charry-Sánchez et al., 2018; Lai et al., 2019). The intervention has been revealed to effectively promote independent living, such as retrieving items for daily use.
Application
I would recommend the application of animal-assisted therapy in home-based care and nursing setting for individuals with dementia. For example, a social worker or nurse can use a trained dog when caring for individuals with dementia. The dog or any other animal will provide therapeutic companionship for the patient to address debilitating symptoms. The intervention will reduce the cost of caring for the patient by eradicating the need for day-long care since the animal provides companionship.
References
Charry-Sánchez, J. D., Pradilla, I., & Talero-Gutiérrez, C. (2018). Animal-assisted therapy in adults: A systematic review. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 32, 169-180.
Lai, N. M., Chang, S. M. W., Ng, S. S., Tan, S. L., Chaiyakunapruk, N., & Stanaway, F. (2019). Animal‐assisted therapy for dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11).
Wood, W., Fields, B., Rose, M., & McLure, M. (2017). Animal-assisted therapies and dementia: A systematic mapping review using the lived environment life quality (LELQ) model. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(5), 7105190030p1-7105190030p10.
Yakimicki, M. L., Edwards, N. E., Richards, E., & Beck, A. M. (2019). Animal-assisted intervention and dementia: A systematic review. Clinical nursing research, 28(1), 9-29.