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Criteria for Effective Therapeutic Programming
(Set forth by the National Alzheimer’s Association in 1992)
- Be purposeful for the individual.
- Provide opportunities for success.
- Accommodate individual interests and hobbies.
- Include personal care in the overall daily program.
- Emphasize the value of human relationships.
- Provide structure seven days per week, 24 hours per day.
- Target specific interventions to distract and occupy individuals with behavioral difficulties.
- Be evaluated routinely to determine individual reactions to activity programming.
Specific criteria for individual activities indicate they:
- Affirm dignity.
- Break tasks down into steps.
- Communicate purpose and meaning for the individual.
- Not reinforce inadequacy.
- Establish new roles and reestablish old roles.
- Fulfill basic needs and are fun.
- Guide use of remaining skills.
- Invite mastery, self-identity and self-esteem.
- Respect the individual.
- Be voluntary.
Source: Guidelines for Dignity. (1992) National Alzheimer’s Association
Compiled by the Lincoln/Greater Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 1999.
