Dancing with People with Dementia: Expanding the Roles of Dance/Movement Therapists

Despite the seeming contradiction between a state of wellbeing and that of dementia, this chapter attempts to show that wellbeing is indeed possible for people with dementia and that dance movement therapy is one of the pathways towards this. The chapter covers different concepts of dementia and of wellbeing within a traditional biomedical framework and a person-centred framework, and introduces other non-dementia-specific theoretical constructs which enrich understandings of wellbeing, such as resilience and flow. Philosophical underpinnings of dance movement therapy and specific aspects of practice within a dementia context are described, providing examples from a phenomenological study. The suggestion is made that the impact of dance movement therapy on wellbeing may not only be in the moment, but may reach beyond the session itself. The chapter concludes that rather than being satisfied with wellbeing, workers and carers should look to the possibility of flourishing for people with dementia.

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Developing relationships between care staff and people with dementia through Music Therapy and Dance Movement Therapy: A preliminary phenomenological study

Dementia ◽

10.1177/1471301215588030 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 282-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ruth Melhuish ◽

Catherine Beuzeboc ◽

Azucena Guzmán

Keyword(s):

Music Therapy ◽

Care Home ◽

Movement Therapy ◽

Small Sample ◽

Care Staff ◽

Care Practice ◽

Dance Movement Therapy ◽

Dance Movement ◽

People With Dementia ◽

The Impact

Background There is an increasing focus on providing effective psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life in dementia care. This study aims to explore the attitudes and perceptions of staff who participated regularly in Music Therapy (MT) and Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) groups for residents with dementia in a nursing home. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with seven members of care home staff. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results A representation modelling the impact of MT and DMT in a nursing care home. Three main themes were identified. 1) Discovering residents' skills and feelings; 2) Learning from the therapists to change approaches to care practice with subthemes: time, space and pace, choice, following the residents' lead; 3) Connection between staff and residents. Conclusion The model indicated that both interventions performed in parallel helped staff to discover residents' skills and feelings. Although it is a small sample size, this study strongly suggests that MT and DMT can have a positive influence in helping care staff to provide a meaningful care environment.

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“Where is Dementia?” A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Neuroanatomical Aspects of Dementia

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp2.sig15.9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (15) ◽

pp. 9-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chorong Oh ◽

Leonard LaPointe

Keyword(s):

English Language ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Journal Articles ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Different Types ◽

Precise Diagnosis ◽

Physical Changes ◽

The Brain ◽

Language Literature

Dementia is a condition caused by and associated with separate physical changes in the brain. The signs and symptoms of dementia are very similar across the diverse types, and it is difficult to diagnose the category by behavioral symptoms alone. Diagnostic criteria have relied on a constellation of signs and symptoms, but it is critical to understand the neuroanatomical differences among the dementias for a more precise diagnosis and subsequent management. With this regard, this review aims to explore the neuroanatomical aspects of dementia to better understand the nature of distinctive subtypes, signs, and symptoms. This is a review of English language literature published from 1996 to the present day of peer-reviewed academic and medical journal articles that report on older people with dementia. This review examines typical neuroanatomical aspects of dementia and reinforces the importance of a thorough understanding of the neuroanatomical characteristics of the different types of dementia and the differential diagnosis of them.

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Midline fast waves in EEGs of elderly people with dementia

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/s0013-4694(97)88599-2 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 134

Author(s):

S Ichijoh

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Fast Waves

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Perceived Overprotection and Its Association With Quality of Life in Dementia

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000207 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 125-134

Author(s):

Mechthild Niemann-Mirmehdi ◽

Andreas Häusler ◽

Paul Gellert ◽

Johanna Nordheim

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Patient Autonomy ◽

Positive Association ◽

Well Being ◽

Negative Association ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract. To date, few studies have focused on perceived overprotection from the perspective of people with dementia (PwD). In the present examination, the association of perceived overprotection in PwD is examined as an autonomy-restricting factor and thus negative for their mental well-being. Cross-sectional data from the prospective DYADEM study of 82 patient/partner dyads (mean age = 74.26) were used to investigate the association between overprotection, perceived stress, depression, and quality of life (QoL). The analyses show that an overprotective contact style with PwD has a significant positive association with stress and depression, and has a negative association with QoL. The results emphasize the importance of avoiding an overprotective care style and supporting patient autonomy.

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CODEM Instrument

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000100 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 23-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anne Kuemmel (This author contributed eq ◽

Julia Haberstroh (This author contributed ◽

Johannes Pantel

Keyword(s):

Convergent Validity ◽

Interrater Reliability ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Well Being ◽

Communication Behavior ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Pearson's R ◽

Pearson’S R

Communication and communication behaviors in situational contexts are essential conditions for well-being and quality of life in people with dementia. Measuring methods, however, are limited. The CODEM instrument, a standardized observational communication behavior assessment tool, was developed and evaluated on the basis of the current state of research in dementia care and social-communicative behavior. Initially, interrater reliability was examined by means of videoratings (N = 10 people with dementia). Thereupon, six caregivers in six German nursing homes observed 69 residents suffering from dementia and used CODEM to rate their communication behavior. The interrater reliability of CODEM was excellent (mean κ = .79; intraclass correlation = .91). Statistical analysis indicated that CODEM had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .95). CODEM also showed excellent convergent validity (Pearson’s R = .88) as well as discriminant validity (Pearson’s R = .63). Confirmatory factor analysis verified the two-factor solution of verbal/content aspects and nonverbal/relationship aspects. With regard to the severity of the disease, the content and relational aspects of communication exhibited different trends. CODEM proved to be a reliable, valid, and sensitive assessment tool for examining communication behavior in the field of dementia. CODEM also provides researchers a feasible examination tool for measuring effects of psychosocial intervention studies that strive to improve communication behavior and well-being in dementia.

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