... up to 4 million people currently suffer from the disorder and approximately 360,000 new cases occur each year: this number will increase as the population ages (Brookmeyer et al., 1998). According to Small et al. (1997), "Health care delivery to these patients is fragmented and inadequate. . . . New approaches are needed to...improve diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness" (p. 1363). Current occupational therapy treatments for those suffering from the disorder include support groups, exercise groups, and craft groups. However, due to its impact on meaningful occupations, many of those experiencing Alzheimer's disease experience loss of self-esteem and self-efficacy, and institutional separation from friends and family may lead to depression and a lack of motivation to participate in available activity options. Problem Statement The problems facing St. Barnabas Senior Service Center parallel areas of concern for the Alzheimer's population as a whole: incorporation of family into the treatment process, depression as ...

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