Treatment of Language and Memory in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

The purpose of this study is to collect data on the effects of behavioral interventions for memory and communication deficits in persons taking cholinesterase inhibitors compared with the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors alone. Initial testing will include a written case history, tests of communication skills, and interviews with the participants, family, and staff caregivers to help select potential goals for treatment. Participants will be randomly selected to participate in Group A (control) or Group B (intervention). Group A will use a Caregiver Checklist for eight weeks to identify any increase or decrease in the occurrence of the identified communication deficits. Group B will have 16 treatment sessions by a Speech Language Pathologist during the eight-week period. A post test will be administered to all participants.