[Dementia and non-pharmacological therapy, the effectiveness of play]

Abstract

A study was carried out to look into the effectiveness of play and the ways it can be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. An intervention founded on the principal of a recreational setting, taking into account the choice of objects, the layout of the space and the role of the professional, could present itself as a form of therapeutic mediation adapted to this pathology. This study shows that play helps to reduce the behavioural problems of residents with Alzheimer's disease, and boosted their wellbeing and quality of life.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; behavioural disorders; jeu; maladie d’Alzheimer; médiation thérapeutique; play; resilience; résilience; therapeutic mediation; troubles du comportement.