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Response from Drs. Dijkstra and Bourgeois

Department of Psychology, Florida State University One University Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270 E-mail: dijkstra{at}psy.fsu.edu
Department of Communication Disorders , Regional Rehabilitation Center Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32312 E-mail: mbourgeo{at}garnet.acns.fsu.edu

Dear Dr. Noelker:

The population of individuals with dementia from which we recruited our study participants is a community sample that has been diagnosed as having dementia by local physicians and neurologists based on behavioral observation, caregiver report, some neuropsychological testing, and limited neuroimaging data. We acknowledge that the diagnostic information obtained from the medical records on file at the day care center was not sufficient to differentially diagnose specific dementia subtypes, which limits the generalizability of our data. Our main goal, however, was to explore several lifeenhancing activities that might benefit a wide range of individuals with dementia (of whatever variety) in a community setting. This research was conducted within a cognitive theoretical framework that examines preserved abilities as reflected in the language production of adults with dementia. We would very much welcome follow-up research conducted within a more clinical framework in which individuals with dementia have undergone a comprehensive assessment that allows for a more specific dementia diagnosis. Research with better defined populations and a larger number of participants would possibly validate, replicate, and increase the generalizability of our findings.

We consider this study on advice giving and teacher roles as a first and encouraging step in the direction of research that examines preserved abilities in everyday lives of adults with dementia. Subsequent studies should determine just how well these roles can be facilitated in actual practice.

Sincerely,

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