Using occupations to improve quality of life, health and wellness, and client and caregiver satisfaction for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

An evidence-based review was undertaken to answer the question, "What is the evidence for the effect of interventions designed to establish, modify, and maintain activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), leisure, and social participation on quality of life (QOL), health and wellness, and client and caregiver satisfaction for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias?" A systematic search of electronic databases and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria guided the selection of 26 articles. Limited high-level evidence on ADL interventions was identified. IADL interventions for people living in the community showed promise. Tailored and activity-based leisure interventions were common and seemed to have positive impacts on caregiver satisfaction, and some interventions had positive results for client well-being and QOL. Social participation interventions focused on people with dementia still able to engage in verbal social interactions; these interventions had at least short-term positive effects.