EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF PRACTISING NATURE BASED ACTIVITY PROGRAMS IN PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Silpa, Saila Kumar and Ganesh, M P (2019) EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF PRACTISING NATURE BASED ACTIVITY PROGRAMS IN PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Masters thesis, Indian institute of technology Hyderabad.

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Abstract

Presently, experts in the field of Alzheimer’s are hoping to find a medication to cure, delay or even reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Till then, currently available cognitive enhancers continue to play a role in optimizing care. One such option could be introducing Nature Based Activity Programs. Research has well established the benefits of being connected to nature. What is less known or not adequately studied is how it can benefit people living with Alzheimer’s, particularly those whose quality of life has declined as a result of the diagnosis. The present study determines whether involving in Nature Based Activity Program helps in reducing depression, stress, improving cognitive functioning and enhancing the overall quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s by carrying out a pretest and posttest research design. The other part of the study focuses on how caregiver’s knowledge and attitude of non pharmacological approach play a role towards the efficacy of treating Alzheimer’s disease through semi structured interviews (qualitative inquiry approach). Participant observation is also incorporated into the study to understand the behavioral changes, emotional and verbal expression, social interaction, resistance/challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s disease during the nature based activity program. The result of the quantitative study shows that Nature Based Activity programs helps in improving the cognitive functioning of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Qualitative evidence showed that both medical and family caregivers were in support of non pharmacological approaches and stated that it helped in improvement in many cases. Thus, the study was concluded stating that spending time in

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