Work Type
Poster
Abstract
There are 55 million people throughout the world living with Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2025). Dementia related symptoms severely interfere with everyday functioning, occupational participation, and safety (Ngo et al., 2024). Financial impairment, a common symptom with MCI and dementia, can lead to economic difficulties, safety risks, and significant stress for caregivers (Nicholas et al., 2021; Widera et al, 2011). In 2018, there were 7.4 million adults with dementia in the U.S. that were managing their household finances with many reporting difficulties (Li et al., 2022). Additionally, medication nonadherence, linked with cognitive decline, increases the risk of hospitalizations, raises healthcare costs, and is a large factor for older adults moving into institutionalized care (Maleki et al., 2025; Stuck et al., 2017). Occupational therapists can use assistive technology, environmental cues, routines, structured goal setting, and skills training to increase safe participation in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) for this population (Salsi et al., 2024).
I completed my capstone at Broadlawns Medical Center, within their memory clinic. Dr. Yogesh Shah, my capstone mentor, shared specific needs to the clinic including a lack of physical space. Due to the limited number of patient rooms, the clinicians must be strict with 30-minutes sessions. This leaves little room for discussion outside of pharmacological treatment planning. With my presence, I sped up the process by administering cognitive assessments which allowed the Broadlawns team more time to complete other necessary tasks. Additionally, I was available as a resource person for putting together education materials for the clinic to use and handouts for patients and their caregivers about the tools and resources available for IADL management.
Publication Date
5-9-2026
Citation Information
Nordhagen, Josie, "Living safely with dementia: Using technology to support medication management and financial safety" (2026). Student Works Occupational Therapy Capstones. 8.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_ot/8
