An analysis of the stress of the elderly with dementia in day-care

The purpose of this study is to explain the stress levels of the elderly with dementia related to their daily behaviors observed using salivary amylase activity as a stress indicator. Study period was from September to October in 2005. Subjects were five people, and their cognitive abilities were assessed with Hasegawa´s Dementia Scale-Revised (HDS-R). Their range of HDS-R scores were 0 to18. We obtained informed consent from subjects and their family. The experimental protocol used in this study was approved by the Ethics Committee at Kawasaki University. Salivary amylase activities were measured by the device of α-Amy Type 2.0 (Yamaha Co. LTD) and analyzed before and after occurrence daily activities. It was reported that salivary amylase activity correctly reacts to conditions of stress, via sympathetic-nervous-adrenomedullary system. We focused on their behavior or expressions and their reaction to others. Also it was analyzed the relations between their behavior and measured salivary amylase activities. In general, subjects´ salivary amylase activities were increased, when they received rehabilitation, failed to communicate with the other elderly, their children and staff, estimated to participate the recreations and the busy bathing. On the other hand, their salivary amylase activities were decreased when they received music therapy, good communicated with other elderly, their children and staffs, and dozed off. In each case of the subjects, the changes of salivary amylase activity depended on how they can communicate with other people, whether or not they like to be alone, whether or not they are willing to participation to recreation activity. Their salivary amylase activities significantly were changed when they felt stress. Therefore, it was suggested that we must provide total care such as stress management for people with dementia.