CHET Faculty Member Dr. Elizabeth Rhodus was recently spotlighted in UKNow for her work on multisensory approaches as potential treatments for Alzheimer’s patients.
The focus of Dr. Rhodus’ work is to enhance sensory input in order to improve behavioral symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). This approach doesn’t involve medication but instead simple sensory changes in their home environment. Sensory stimulation occurs when one or more of the following senses is activated: vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, pressure, movement and internal feelings. With the help of basic tools and materials, caregivers can stimulate these senses in adults with dementia in ways that can make them feel safer, happier and more comfortable.
Dr. Rhodus was recently awarded a K23 grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) titled “Improving Person-Environment Fit of Community-Residing Older Adults with Dementia Through Assessment and Individualized Intervention.” With this award, Dr. Rhodus will continue research aimed to assess and intervene on basic mechanisms between persons living with ADRD and the home environment, and mechanisms that may contribute to or minimize challenging behavioral symptoms of ADRD.