Bahareh Zeynalzadeh Ghoochani - Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Seyed Alireza Derakhshanrad - Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Most elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease live with family and not in institutions. Because of this, the rehabilitation team needs to include the caregivers and the patient as much as possible in treatment planning. The goal of rehabilitation is to ensure that the patient remains safe, independent, and able to perform ADLs. The planning to reach these goals is best done within the context of the patient’s social supportsystem. Materials and Methods: The rehabilitation process begins while the diagnostic workup is still in progress. At this stage of treatment, the rehabilitation plan includes basic training for the patient in performing and adapting the ADLs. It also includes caregivertraining and support for significant others so they can make needed environmental modifications to ensure the safety of the patient with dementia. Results: Once the diagnosis is established, treatment planning for longterm care must be carefully made. No matter where thepatient will be living, involvement of the caregivers and significant others is essential to maximizing functional outcomes. The emotional, physical, and financial resources of the patient and family must be ascertained. A review of the caretakers’ willingness to perform basictasks or make visits, their willingness to learn and teach the necessary skills, and the realistic need for respites must be determined. Conclusions: The same detailed orientation is needed for institutional staff who care for elderly patients with dementia. The structure andprocess of care can help patients be maximally active in their self-care and prevent unnecessary anxiety and catastrophic reactions.