A Study on the Occupational Therapist Needs for the Development of Non-Pharmacological Program for Early-Onset Dementia Patients

This study aimed to analyze a survey on the perception and necessity of programs for patients with elderly onset dementia (EOD), among occupational therapists who participated in 2021 dementialized education by KAOT. Data on the characteristics and non-pharmacological programs for patients with EOD were collected. A questionnaire was created based on the data, and the survey was conducted among occupational therapists and analysis undertaken. As a result of the analysis, many occupational therapists were inexperienced in EOD patients' education, and most of the institutions were not available for service. The reasons why EOD patients' programs were inoperable are difficulties in subject recruitment, followed by lack of facilities, staff, and understanding of EOD patients' needs. Most of the surveyed subjects stated the need for the program focussing on EOD patients and mentioned activities of daily life (ADL), followed by cognition, caregiver education, social activity, modulation of psychomotor symptoms, and physical activities as important areas. Since EOD progresses rapidly, active intervention with specifically developed program in the early stages are necessary to delay symptoms and prevent deterioration in ADL and social performance skills. Despite the high demand for education about EOD patients, a high percentage of occupational therapists are inexperienced about it. Therefore, curriculum development is necessary to increase the professionalism of occupational therapists in EOD, and institutional support should be provided.