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Treatment
for Early Stage Alzheimer's and Related Disorders
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The
Early Stage Peer Group Program (ESP)
Alzheimer’s
Association
Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter |
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In
1993, I was asked to develop The
Early Stage Peer Group program
(ESP)
under the auspices of the Alzheimer's Association.
The purpose of the program is twofold: to provide
support for persons in the early stages of a dementia
and their caregivers. |
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Support for individuals
with a diagnosis of dementia: |
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In
a group psychotherapy format, individuals meet
with others who have similar diagnoses with the
aim of reducing stigma, enhancing self esteem
through meaningful, adult interaction as well
as validation of experiences stemming from the
disorder. Learning compensatory ways of coping,
finding humor in mistakes, and reducing anxiety
are typical goals. |
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Support for caregivers: |
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The aim of the Caregivers'
Group is to assist caregivers with the steep learning
curve that is involved in learning to care effectively
and respectfuly. Group partiicpants, usually
family members, have the opportunity to share experiences
and learn from each other, develop better sel-care
techniques, and improve their communication skills
in relation to their loved one. Lectures from
community experts in the areas of elder law, finances,
pharmacology, etc. enhance these meetings. |
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The
Screening Process |
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Early
stage dementia patients are typically referred by
physicians, social workers, and geriatric clinics
throughout the community. A two-step
screening process is initiated when a caregiver
or patient calls the Association: |
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Step1:
A brief screening for appropriateness is conducted
by telephone, and information about the program
is provided. An appointment for formal interviewing
is made at that time.
Step 2:
At the assessment interview, patients and caregivers
are screened by me (Dr. Reichlin)
and a licensed psychotherapist, social worker,
or other professional working for the Association.
Patients are administered the
Mini Mental State Exam (Folstein et al, 1975).
Individuals are interviewed to determine their
awareness of their dementia and deficits, their
ability to communicate in a group, and their interest
in the program. I look to see the prospective
participant’s ability to interact appropriately,
respond with some depth in his or her conversation,
and spontaneously converse with me. Acknowledgment
by the patient of dementia or MCI (mild cognitive
impairment) and communicative ability are viewed
as the most important variables in selection for
the group.
Caregivers are administered a
checklist to identify their loved one’s
functional difficulties and interviewed to determine
the caregiver’s burden of care, and interest
in the program. Immediately following these interviews,
clinicians and caregivers meet separately to discuss
the patient’s eligibility and answer any
questions. |
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The
ESP Program: |
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The
ESP Program
is composed of three sections. We meet weekly
for one hour for seven weeks, break for a month,
and then meet again for seven weeks. Each new
seven week period brings in new participants.
The third section, called Transitions,
meets every other week for a year. Throughout
the program, we conduct patient and caregiver
groups.
For more information contact
the Alzheimer's Association at
713-266-6400, or click
here. |
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