Spirituality and ageing – the role of mindfulness in supporting people with dementia to live well

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Humanistic Psychology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Physical Changes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the role that mindfulness meditation can play in supporting people with dementia to live well. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the literature in a structured way, focussing first on the general effectiveness on mindfulness and then going on to assess its role in attention, emotion regulation, cognitive decline, physical changes in the brain, prevention, and quality of life. Findings – Spirituality has been defined as a process of personal transformation which in many cases can involve a blend of humanistic psychology and esoteric traditions. Meditation, even if practised in a secular fashion can be said to fit within this definition of spirituality. The paper reviews the evidence for the relevance of mindfulness meditation in supporting people to live well with dementia. Research limitations/implications – The evidence is not yet conclusive; however, there is nevertheless a growing body of evidence which suggests that this is a fruitful area for further research. Practical implications – There are numerous implications for practice: if sufficient self-reported benefit from the application of mindfulness to people with dementia to warrant this being offered more generally. If further research substantiates the quality of life benefits then this could be an important development to accompany early diagnosis of dementia. If mindfulness were found to have a preventative effect then that would be of huge practical importance. Social implications – Mindfulness gives people more control of their emotional and thought processes and therefore this could be a significant development for empowering people with dementia and their carers. Originality/value – This is one of the first times that the literature regarding mindfulness and dementia has been reviewed in a systematic way.

scholarly journals The effects of placement on dementia care recipients’ and family caregivers’ quality of life: a literature review

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heehyul Moon ◽  
Peggye Dilworth-Anderson ◽  
Johannes Gräske
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Facilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize the research literature on the quality of life (QoL) of both caregivers (CGs) and care recipients (CRs) with dementia after admission to long-term care facilities. Design/methodology/approach Four databases – AgeLine, Medline, EBSCO, and PyscINFO – were searched and the relevant literature from 2002 onwards was reviewed. Findings The review of 12 studies (five studies, including only family CGs; six studies including residents; one study including both family CGs and CRs) reveals a discrepancy regarding the effects of institutionalization on the CRs’ and CGs’ QoL. Among seven studies on CRs’ QoL change, some reviewed studies found a significant decline in CRs’ QoL after placement with others showing that CRs’ QoL was improved or stable. While some reports indicated that some family CGs benefited from placement, others showed that CGs merely maintained their QoL. However, family CGs in the reviewed studies were more likely to report improved QoL than were their CRs after institutionalization. Research limitations/implications The authors recommend that future studies should focus on understanding the individual’s adaptation to placement, dyadic changes in QoL (including mediators/moderators). They emphasize the need for a comprehensive longitudinal study with more than one wave and includes diverse groups including racial/ethnic minority CGs and CRs. Originality/value This study reviewed and synthesized the research literature on the QoL of both caregiver and the people with dementia they cared for after those they cared for were admitted to long-term care facilities. The conclusions drawn about influences on QoL provide guidance for identifying best practices and research.

Building design for people with dementia: a case study of a UK care home

Facilities ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 349-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee H. Fisher ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
Erika Anneli Pärn ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Living Space ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact that building design has upon the quality of life for residents of a care home who have dementia. To present a balanced perspective, carers within the care home also participate in the research. Design/methodology/approach A case study methodological approach was adopted using one care home, ten residents and five staff as a sample frame. During interviews conducted, participants were asked semi-structured questions on how building design features impact upon the quality of life of residents. Questions posed focussed upon key design principles that emerged from a detailed review of extant literature. Findings Building design for people with dementia must consider a complex array of features to provide a safe and habitable living space for residents and family members who visit. This living space must also be suitably utilitarian and provide a workable environment for staff. Hence, an appropriate balance between these two competing requirements must be attained, and often a tailor-made solution is required that fits the individual’s level of dementia. Three prominent areas that study participants expressed a desire for were a safe environment; support for wayfinding, orientation and navigation; and access to nature and the outdoors. Originality/value The work reports upon the rarely discussed issue of building design for people with dementia and could be used by policymakers and construction firms to enhance their knowledge capabilities in this area. The research concludes with direction for future research which should seek to provide more evidence-based research vis-a-vis perception enquiry and extend this seminal work to a larger sample of care homes or people with dementia living at home.

scholarly journals A Mindfulness Program Manual for People With Dementia

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 764-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Chan ◽  
Anna Churcher Clarke ◽  
Lindsay Royan ◽  
Joshua Stott ◽  
Aimee Spector
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Moderate Dementia

This article describes a 10-session group-based Mindfulness Program for people with mild to moderate dementia. It aims to equip people with dementia with skills to manage psychological distress, with support from carers. The Mindfulness Program was developed through reviews of existing literature, consultation with experts, and a focus group with people with dementia. In a randomized controlled feasibility and pilot trial with people with mild to moderate dementia in care homes, it was found to significantly increase quality of life. The manual presented here is designed to be administered flexibly to promote participants’ personhood. The protocol is designed for use by therapists with experience in practicing mindfulness meditation.

Perceived Overprotection and Its Association With Quality of Life in Dementia

GeroPsych ◽  
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.

Assessment of multimorbidity of diseases in geriatric practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Mark Oprenko
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
The Core ◽  
Definition Of

The definition of the multimorbidity concept reveals insufficient specificity of the comorbidity and multimorbidity definitions and, as a result, confusion in the use of these terms. Most authors are unanimous that the “core” of multimorbidity is presence of more than one disease in a patient. These coexisting diseases can be pathogenetically interconnected and non-interconnected. Regardless, the degree of multimorbidity always affects prognosis and quality of life.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Burnout in Professional Caregivers of Institutionalized Elderly with Dementia and other Diseases

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Méndez ◽  
Esther Secanilla ◽  
Juan P. Martínez ◽  
Josefa Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Global Approach ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Quality Of Patient Care ◽  
Psychoeducational Programs

In a global approach about the need of paying attention to staff working with and for older people with dementia and other diseases in residential care, it is necessary to investigate their emotional well-being to provide strategies to improve their quality of life and therefore their quality of patient care. Professional caregivers of people with dementia and other diseases have specific psycho-sociological problems. They are more prone to stress which can sometimes lead to the “burnout” due to specific functions in the workplace. To define the sample was decided to compare two residential centers of two regions, Murcia and Barcelona. We proceeded to the administration of the following measuring instruments: the scale Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and an ad hoc survey conducted for professional caregivers. Finally, the results offer the possibility of carrying out programs to prevent emotional exhaustion in professional carers, as well as the possibility of designing psychoeducational programs for staff care and even future proactive and reactive interventions.

scholarly journals Perceived and objective availability of green and blue spaces and quality of life in people with dementia: results from the IDEAL programme

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Tzu Wu ◽  
◽  
Linda Clare ◽  
Ian Rees Jones ◽  
Sharon M. Nelis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Deprivation Level ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Perceived Availability ◽  
People With Dementia

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between quality of life and both perceived and objective availability of local green and blue spaces in people with dementia, including potential variation across rural/urban settings and those with/without opportunities to go outdoors. Methods This study was based on 1540 community-dwelling people with dementia in the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) programme. Quality of life was measured by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale. A list of 12 types of green and blue spaces was used to measure perceived availability while objective availability was estimated using geographic information system data. Regression modelling was employed to investigate the associations of quality of life with perceived and objective availability of green and blue spaces, adjusting for individual factors and deprivation level. Interaction terms with rural/urban areas or opportunities to go outdoors were fitted to test whether the associations differed across these subgroups. Results Higher QoL-AD scores were associated with higher perceived availability of local green and blue spaces (0.82; 95% CI 0.06, 1.58) but not objective availability. The positive association between perceived availability and quality of life was stronger for urban (1.50; 95% CI 0.52, 2.48) than rural residents but did not differ between participants with and without opportunities to go outdoors. Conclusions Only perceived availability was related to quality of life in people with dementia. Future research may investigate how people with dementia utilise green and blue spaces and improve dementia-friendliness of these spaces.

scholarly journals The Meeting Centre Support Programme: International Evaluation of a Dyadic Intervention in Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 758-758
Author(s):  
Dorota Szcześniak ◽  
Katarzyna Lion ◽  
Franka Meiland ◽  
Dawn Brooker ◽  
Elisabetta Farina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychosocial Intervention ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
User Evaluation ◽  
Great Satisfaction ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
People With Dementia

Abstract In Europe, 10 million people are living with dementia. Most of them reside in their own home, cared for by their loved ones. As a consequence, there is a great need to provide both, people with dementia and their carers, tailored support. The Dutch Meeting Centres Support Programme (MCSP), adaptively implemented in three European countries within the JPND-MEETINGDEM project, is an excellent example of an effective dyadic psychosocial intervention, which seems to have no cultural barriers. The mixed-methods analysis showed that participant-dyads reported great satisfaction with MCSP. People with dementia experienced improvement of their quality of life, motivation and ability to participate in everyday activities, as well as improvement in their relationship with family members. Carers felt less burdened and highly appreciated the emotional and social support they received. Repeated user evaluation shows that this dyadic support effectively helps people with dementia and their families better deal with dementia.

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