scholarly journals Occupational Therapy Innovations in Home and Community Practice for People Living With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 766-766
Author(s):  
Catherine Piersol ◽  
Scott Trudeau

Abstract Most Americans with dementia live at home and families are commonly responsible for overseeing the daily activities of the person with dementia. Families require support, education, and skill-building to manage caregiving responsibilities. Occupational therapist are ideally suited to teach care partners tailored strategies for obtaining the “just right fit” between the capacities of the person and the demands of the environment, thus reducing behavioral symptoms, optimizing function and safety and enhancing well-being. Care of Persons with Dementia in their Environments (COPE) is an evidence-based intervention designed to address these outcomes. Over three phases, the occupational therapist employs a problem-solving method to identify strategies that address caregiver-reported difficulties related to managing daily activities, behavioral challenges and other caregiver concerns. This presentation describes the development and implementation of COPE highlighting the distinct approaches of occupational therapy in delivering home- and community-based services to persons living with dementia and their care partners.

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1794-1810
Author(s):  
Helen Hickman ◽  
Chris Clarke ◽  
Emma Wolverson

Humour is a complex social and emotional experience which could constitute a positive resource for people endeavouring to live well with dementia. However, little is currently known about the shared use and value of humour in dyads where one person has dementia. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore how people with dementia and their care-partners experience, use and draw meaning from humour in relation to their shared experiences of dementia and their ongoing relationships. Ten participant dyads (the person with dementia and their spousal partner) took part in joint semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed eight subthemes that were subsumed under three super-ordinate themes: ‘Humour Has Always Been There (and Always Will Be)’; ‘Withstanding Dementia’ and ‘Renewing the Value of Humour in Dementia’. Overall, the findings suggest that humour, in different forms, can represent a salient and enduring relationship strength that helps dyads maintain well-being and couplehood by providing a buffer against stressors associated with dementia. The findings highlight the potential value of integrating a dyadic perspective with strengths-based approaches in future research into how people live well with dementia.


2021 ◽  
pp. 16-19
Author(s):  
Amitabh Kishor Dwivedi

INTRODUCTION: Spirituality has risen as of considerable recent interest in occupational therapy. Spirituality and occupational therapy is associated with the holistic, person centred approach to care in order to restore a sense of well-being and recognise individual coping strategies. Despite current global economic challenges and healthcare recongurations, there appears to be a professional drive not to return to a reductionist model of care delivery. The purpose of the study is to understand views of Occupational therapist on integrating spirituality in Occupational Therapy practice in India. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative pilot study endeavoured to understand views of Occupational Therapist on integrating spirituality as a domain of practice in Occupational Therapy in India. STUDYDESIGN:The study design of this study is a cross-sectional, qualitative narrative study design. METHOD: The qualitative descriptive study included twenty participants (n=20) who are expert in the eld of Occupational Therapy (Age mean ± SD 44 ± 9.88, in Years) with major inclusion criteria of minimal ten years' experience, were recruited for this study by using non-probability convenient and snow ball sampling method. The study was conducted with Occupational Therapist working in private and public sectors in India. The in-depth semi-structured interviews with senior Occupational Therapists were conducted to explore themes which covered views of Occupational Therapist on Spirituality as a domain of practice in Occupational Therapy in India RESULT: The themes which are generated as result of this study highlight the views of Occupational Therapists on integration of spirituality as domain of practice in occupational therapy in India. CONCLUSION:This study explored the current practices of spirituality as domain in occupational therapy in India.


Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2436-2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therése Bielsten ◽  
Ingrid Hellström

Introduction Symptoms of dementia bring about challenges to couples’ relationships. Relationship-focused support has been highlighted to be of significant importance for sustained relationship quality and to reduce the negative impact of dementia on the dyadic relationship. This review aimed to explore the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of interventions aimed at couples where one partner has a diagnosis of dementia and in which the couple jointly participate. Method Searches were performed in Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from January 2000 to August 2017. Results Six studies were included. Objectives for the person with dementia was related to cognitive function and for the care partner the objectives were related to well-being. The majority of the outcomes were mirrored by the objectives and focused on cognitive function for people with dementia and depression and relationship quality for care partners. Our findings indicate that people with dementia should be included in the assessment of the relationship in order to gain an overall picture of relationship dynamics and to increase tailored support in couple-centred interventions. Conclusions The findings of this review indicate that joint interventions for people with dementia and care partners are lacking a genuine dyadic approach where both partners’ views of their relationship are valued. In order to identify targets for support and to use the appropriate outcome measures, the quality of the relationship should be recognised and taken into account. Moreover, there is a lack of a salutogenic approach in couple-centred interventions in which couples’ strengths and resources can be identified and supported.


2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-329
Author(s):  
Elize Janse van Rensburg

Background. Community practice in occupational therapy is becoming increasingly relevant worldwide. Moreover, a social-change approach focusing on occupational enablement is pertinent in community practice as occupational therapists endeavour to promote health, well-being, and occupational justice in communities. Purpose. Drawing on theory from the fields of community development, community engagement, and occupational enablement, and based on the findings of a previous empirical, qualitative study, a framework for occupational enablement in community practice was developed. Key Issues. This article presents the background to the development of the framework, after which the framework is introduced and discussed in terms of the composition, relevance, and application of its components. The framework details outcomes and objectives that may be targeted and activities that may be utilized successfully during occupational therapy community practice engagements. It further illuminates facilitators of enablement related to contextual factors, stakeholders, and strategies that enhance the potential for enabling community practice engagements. Implications. This framework can provide a strategic management guideline for occupational therapists and students who engage with communities in endeavours such as community development and service learning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 766-766
Author(s):  
Deepika Pugalenthi Saravanan ◽  
Nihal Satyadev ◽  
Natashia Townsend ◽  
Katherine Rose ◽  
Harrison Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Respite care is an important service to address caregivers' stress and fatigue when caring for a person with dementia (PWD). YouthCare is a non-medical, at-home, intergenerational respite care program that partners trained student volunteers with PWDs. The Family Caregiver Survey was created and distributed to caregivers of PWDs in Los Angeles to better understand interactions with the community and its caregiver services. The survey assesses caregivers’ demographics, daily activities, mental health, and the type of respite support needed. The survey findings (n=47) show that 53.2% of caregivers are 54 and older and 83% females. 40.4% of the caregivers listened to the radio primarily in the morning while 61.7% watched television in the afternoon to evening time. For transportation of PWDs to and from destinations, 78.3% of caregivers reported using their own vehicles. In regards to their mental health, 61.7% of the caregivers stated that they felt tired and unmotivated to complete daily activities. When asked why they sought respite services, 40% stated that they were overwhelmed by the responsibilities in addition to their own work. The groups that primarily support caregivers are family and professional respite services. Findings indicate that caregivers are most likely to trust resource recommendations from family and friends. Similar surveys should be administered in other cities and in rural locations to improve the generalizability of our findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
Ken Schwartz ◽  
Robert Madan ◽  
Anna Berall ◽  
Marsha Natadira ◽  
Anna Santiago

Background:Responsive behaviours in dementia are associated with poor outcomes for the person with dementia (PWD) and caregiver burnout. Family caregivers need a variety of tools to manage responsive behaviours. The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool was developed to provide caregivers with a tool that can be used in real time. In this study, the feasibility, impact, and effectiveness of this new tool were studied in family caregivers and health care providers (HCP) using quantitative and qualitative measures.Methods:Family caregivers were recruited and were asked to complete a pre-survey before being sent the link to the educational tool. One month after the telephone survey, caregivers were sent an online post-survey to gather their feedback on the tool and the impact of the tool on caregiver well -being. Healthcare providers were also recruited and reviewed the tool through an online feedback survey. The feasibility, impact, and effectiveness of the tool were assessed using quantitative and qualitative measures.Results:Caregivers had a moderate degree of and reported a high level of competence - these scores were maintained throughout the study. Caregivers reported that tool positively impacted their compassion towards the person with dementia (PWD), and that their interactions with improved. 100% of HCP who completed the feedback survey would recommend the tool to other HCP and to caregivers of PWD. The caregivers and HCP provided specific suggestions for improvement.Conclusions:The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool was found to be feasible and helpful. It provides caregivers and HCP with an additional approach for responsive behaviours.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine V Talbot ◽  
Pam Briggs

Abstract People with dementia can experience shrinkage of their social worlds, leading to a loss of independence, control and reduced well-being. We used ‘the shrinking world’ theory to examine how the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted the lives of people with early to middle stage dementia and what longer-term impacts may result. Interviews were conducted with 19 people with dementia and a thematic analysis generated five themes: the forgotten person with dementia, confusion over government guidance, deterioration of cognitive function, loss of meaning and social isolation, safety of the lockdown bubble. The findings suggest that the pandemic has accelerated the ‘shrinking world’ effect and created tension in how people with dementia perceive the outside world. Participants felt safe and secure in lockdown but also missed the social interaction, cognitive stimulation and meaningful activities that took place outdoors. As time in lockdown continued, these individuals experienced a loss of confidence and were anxious about their ability to re-engage in the everyday practises that allow them to participate in society. We recommend ways in which the government, communities and organisations might counteract some of the harms posed by this shrinking world.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candace L Kemp

Abstract The public health response to the current Coronavirus pandemic in long-term care communities, including assisted living, encompasses prohibiting visitors. This ban, which includes family members, has been criticized for being unfair, unhealthy, and unsafe. Against this backdrop, I examine the roles family play in residents’ daily lives and care routines. I argue that classifying family as “visitors” rather than essential care partners overlooks their critical contributions and stems from taken-for-granted assumption about gender, families, and care work, and I demonstrate why families are more than visitors. Policies that ban family visits also reflect a narrow understanding of health that focuses on mitigating infection risk, but neglects overall health and well-being. This policy further stems from a limited comprehension of care relations. Research shows that banning family visits has negative consequences for residents, but also families themselves, and direct care workers. I argue that identifying ways to better understand and support family involvement is essential and demonstrate the utility of the Convoys of Care model for guiding the reconceptualization of family in long-term care research, policy, and practice during and beyond the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
pp. 156918612110187
Author(s):  
Bianca E Summers ◽  
Kate E Laver ◽  
Rebecca J Nicks ◽  
Nadine E Andrew ◽  
Christopher J Barr ◽  
...  

Introduction Health care expenditure has rapidly increased in Australia. Effective management of occupational therapy services is required to meet clinical demand. Improving our understanding of factors which influence occupational therapy service delivery is a vital step to manage workload distribution and optimise service efficiency. This study aims to examine the influence of patient sociodemographic characteristics, diagnosis and functional independence on the utilisation of occupational therapy resources in hospital inpatients over 18 years old. Methods Prospective, cross-sectional, observational cohort study of 4549 inpatients from three hospital sites in Melbourne, Australia. Data extracted from organisational databases and included in this study were: patient demographics, diagnosis, functional level assessed using the SMAF (Functional Autonomy Measurement System) and occupational therapy time-use. Data were analysed using univariable and multivariable modelling. Results Occupational therapy time-use was significantly associated with all variables included in analysis ( p < 0.05). For each variable the amount and direction of effect differed between hospital sites. The SMAF was the only variable consistently associated with occupational therapy time-use. Higher occupational therapy time-use was associated with lower functional independence (leading to a 3.5 min increase in median occupational therapy time for every unit decrease in SMAF score). Conclusions Management of resources within busy hospitals require knowledge of factors associated with occupational therapist time-use. This study identified that time-use could in part be predicted by functional independence, diagnosis and sociodemographic characteristics. Occupational therapy managers can use this information to support decision making while acknowledging other patient and therapist level factors also influence time-use.


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