A Community-Based Family/Patient Group Program for Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease may cause progressive impairment of the patient and of the family system. Coping with the disease and its consequences may require a new repertory of defensemechanisms for family members and confrontation of issues ranging from anger to agitationto adaptation. An Alzheimer's Family/Patient group program has been developed for community-based patients with moderate to severe dementia and their caregivers. Its components are discussed in relation to clinical observations.