[Multiple cognitive functional assessments used to modify the disturbed behavior of an elderly woman with dementia from the viewpoint of psychoeducation for the patient and her family].

ABSTRACT

We report a case of a patient with dementia for whom a psychoeducational intervention based on a cognitive functional assessment by multiple cognitive functional tests was useful. She was an 82-year-old woman with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. She often asked about the date, scorched pans several times, and bought large amounts of the same items over 2 years. Her family worried that she might have dementia and hospitalized her. Mixed type dementia was diagnosed from the results of a cognitive functional assessment and magnetic resonance imaging findings. A psychoeducational program was conducted based on the findings of retained and impaired cognitive abilities derived from the above assessment. Her daily life disturbances were modified by an external compensation method. For example, her son told her repeatedly when it was not necessary to make supper, and made use of a block calendar. To consider how to cope appropriately with daily life disturbances derived from the symptoms of dementia, it is important to understand retained and impaired cognitive abilities, by comparing multiple cognitive functional assessments with the type of disturbances, and to deepen understanding of patients' psychological profiles, from the viewpoint of psychoeducation for the patient and family.