scholarly journals Meaningful Engagement Among Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Successful Approaches

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199686
Author(s):  
Candace L. Kemp ◽  
Alexis A. Bender ◽  
Joy Ciofi ◽  
Jennifer Craft Morgan ◽  
Elisabeth O. Burgess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Record Review

Meaningful engagement is an important dimension of quality of life and care for persons living with dementia, including the growing number who reside in assisted living communities. This report presents preliminary findings from an ongoing qualitative study aimed at identifying best care practices to create and maintain meaningful engagement among persons with dementia. Over a 1-year period, we conducted interviews, residents’ record review, and participant observations in four diverse care communities. Our analysis identified four approaches that successfully promote meaningful engagement: (a) knowing the person, (b) connecting with and meeting people where they are, (c) being in the moment, and (d) viewing all encounters as opportunity. Incorporation of these approaches in care routines and adoption by all care partners can promote meaningful engagement, including during crises such as COVID-19.

scholarly journals MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA: EMERGENT FINDINGS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S943-S944
Author(s):  
Joy Ciofi ◽  
Candace L Kemp ◽  
Alexis A Bender ◽  
Elisabeth O Burgess ◽  
Jennifer C Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
Physical Abilities ◽  
Community Staff

Abstract This poster provides an overview of the aims, methods, and emergent findings from an ongoing five-year NIA-funded project (R01AG062310) examining meaningful engagement and quality of life among assisted living (AL) residents with dementia. The overall goal of this project is to determine how opportunities for meaningful engagement can best be recognized, created, and maintained for individuals with different dementia types and varying levels of functional ability. Guided by grounded theory, this qualitative study will involve 12 diverse AL communities in and around Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Presently, our interdisciplinary team is collecting data in four communities using ethnographic observations, semi-structured interviews, and resident record review. We are studying daily life in each community, following 30 resident participants, and actively recruiting and interviewing their formal and informal care partners. Based on ongoing analysis, we offer key emergent findings. First, meaningful engagement is highly individualized and dynamic. Differing personal interests, along with wide variations in cognitive and physical abilities, can present challenges for AL community staff and other care partners when trying to recognize what constitutes meaningful engagement for residents. Second, multiple complex factors interplay to shape the experience of meaningful engagement among persons living with dementia, such as personal characteristics, care partner background and training, AL community design and philosophy, and state/corporate regulations. Finally, flexibility and ‘meeting the resident where they are at’ appear to be critical to identifying and fostering meaningful engagement for persons living with dementia. We discuss the implications of these preliminary findings for translation, dissemination, and future research.

scholarly journals Strategies to support engagement and continuity of activity during mealtimes for families living with dementia; a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather H. Keller ◽  
Lori Schindel Martin ◽  
Sherry Dupuis ◽  
Holly Reimer ◽  
Rebecca Genoe
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
Family Mealtimes

Background Mealtimes are an essential part of living and quality of life for everyone, including persons living with dementia. A longitudinal qualitative study provided understanding of the meaning of mealtimes for persons with dementia and their family care partners. Strategies were specifically described by families to support meaningful mealtimes. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the strategies devised and used by these families living with dementia. Methods A longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken to explore the meaning and experience of mealtimes for families living with dementia over a three-year period. 27 families [older person with dementia and at least one family care partner] were originally recruited from the community of South-Western Ontario. Individual and dyad interviews were conducted each year. Digitally recorded transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Strategies were identified and categorized. Results Strategies to support quality mealtimes were devised by families as they adapted to their evolving lives. General strategies such as living in the moment, as well as strategies specific to maintaining social engagement and continuity of mealtime activities were reported. Conclusions In addition to nutritional benefit, family mealtimes provide important opportunities for persons with dementia and their family care partners to socially engage and continue meaningful roles. Strategies identified by participants provide a basis for further education and support to families living with dementia.

scholarly journals Strategies to support engagement and continuity of activity during mealtimes for families living with dementia; a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather H. Keller ◽  
Lori Schindel Martin ◽  
Sherry Dupuis ◽  
Holly Reimer ◽  
Rebecca Genoe
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
Family Mealtimes

Background Mealtimes are an essential part of living and quality of life for everyone, including persons living with dementia. A longitudinal qualitative study provided understanding of the meaning of mealtimes for persons with dementia and their family care partners. Strategies were specifically described by families to support meaningful mealtimes. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the strategies devised and used by these families living with dementia. Methods A longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken to explore the meaning and experience of mealtimes for families living with dementia over a three-year period. 27 families [older person with dementia and at least one family care partner] were originally recruited from the community of South-Western Ontario. Individual and dyad interviews were conducted each year. Digitally recorded transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Strategies were identified and categorized. Results Strategies to support quality mealtimes were devised by families as they adapted to their evolving lives. General strategies such as living in the moment, as well as strategies specific to maintaining social engagement and continuity of mealtime activities were reported. Conclusions In addition to nutritional benefit, family mealtimes provide important opportunities for persons with dementia and their family care partners to socially engage and continue meaningful roles. Strategies identified by participants provide a basis for further education and support to families living with dementia.

“It’s Going to be Different for Everyone”: Negotiating Quality of Life and Care Priorities Within Care Convoys

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110523
Author(s):  
Elisabeth O. Burgess ◽  
Candace L. Kemp ◽  
Alexis A. Bender
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Multiple Viewpoints ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Working Out

Objective: The overall goal of this analysis was to learn about residents’ quality of life and quality of care in assisted living over time and from multiple viewpoints within support networks. Method: This grounded theory analysis examined qualitative data collected from 50 residents and 169 of their care network members followed over two consecutive 2-year periods in 8 diverse settings. Results: Quality involved a dynamic process of “negotiating priorities,” which refers to working out what is most important for residents’ quality of life and care. Resident and care partner priorities were not always consistent or shared, in part because quality is personal, subjective, dynamic, and situational. Discussion: Communication and collaboration among formal and informal care partners are vital to residents’ ability to age in place with a high quality of life and quality care.

Clinical case of a comorbid patient with arterial hypertension

2020 ◽  
pp. 31-39
Author(s):  
Ella Polozova ◽  
Vsevolod Skvortsov ◽  
Olga Radaykina ◽  
Mariya Narvatkina ◽  
Anastasiya Seskina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Clinical Picture ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
The Moment

The widespread prevalence of comorbid pathology determines the relevance of this problem. Comorbid pathology due to the interaction of diseases, drug pathomorphism, age characteristics of the patient, significantly changes clinical picture and course of the main nosology, affects severity of complications and their nature, significantly affects quality of life and prognosis of patients. Diagnosis and treatment of many diseases is complicated in the conditions of comorbidity. The article presents a clinical case of a comorbid patient with arterial hypertension from the moment of exposure to risk factors and ending with the formation of many concomitant diseases, as an example of trans-nosological comorbidity.

scholarly journals 104 - Awareness of Dementia and Coping to Preserve Quality of Life: A Five-Year Longitudinal Narrative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
K. Thorsen ◽  
M. C. N. Dourado ◽  
A. Johannessen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Adaptive Function ◽  
Narrative Study ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Moment ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Scientific Fields ◽  
Multidimensional Concept

AbstractBackground:Awareness of dementia is examined in different scientific fields as significant for assessment of diagnosis, and for treatment and adaptation to the disease. There are very few longitudinal studies of individual experiences of awareness among people with dementia, related to quality of life.Aim:To examine how younger people (< 65 years) with dementia (YOD) express awareness of the dementia and how, over time, they seem to handle awareness as a strategy to preserve quality of life.Method:A longitudinal qualitative study with individuals with YOD was performed with interviews every six months over five years for a maximum of ten interviews. The interviews were analysed by modified grounded theory.Findings:Awareness is a complex, multidimensional concept. Awareness of dementia is predisposed by personality, life history and established coping styles. The main coping styles – live in the moment, ignore the dementia, and make the best of it – seem to be rather consistent throughout the progression of the disease. Transitions in life situation, such as moving to a nursing home, may change the individual’s awareness of dementia.Conclusion:Unawareness of dementia may have an important adaptive function to preserve quality of life. To increase awareness must be approached with reflexivity and the utmost sensitivity.

scholarly journals Impact of Pediatric COVID-19 on Family Health-Related Quality of Life: A Qualitative Study from Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2110123
Author(s):  
Inese Stars ◽  
Liene Smane ◽  
Zanda Pucuka ◽  
Ieva Roge ◽  
Jana Pavare
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Information on family health-related quality of life (FHRQoL) among families of children with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. This qualitative study explores the impact of pediatric COVID-19 on FHRQoL from the parents’ perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents (n = 20) whose children had tested positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Inductive thematic analysis revealed the following 10 themes that represented parents’ perception of FHRQoL while taking care of a child with COVID-19: pediatric COVID-19 as a disease with many unknowns; emotional saturation; internal family relationships in the context of “a new experience”; routine household activities and daily regimen while family is in lockdown; plenty of free time; a wide social support network; social stigma associated with COVID-19; different options for work; savings and debts; challenges with family housing and transport availability. Our results show that parents experience multiple effects of pediatric COVID-19 with regard to FHRQoL.

scholarly journals Challenges Related to Informal Care Partners’ Involvement in End-of-Life-Care in Assisted Living

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 16-17
Author(s):  
Molly Perkins ◽  
Ann Vandenberg ◽  
Candace Kemp ◽  
Mary Ball ◽  
Joanna Jungerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Informal Care ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Relational Factors

Abstract Limited empirical evidence suggests that caregiver burden is greater for informal care partners (family and friends) in assisted living (AL) compared with other long-term care settings, particularly within context of end of life. Using qualitative data from a larger 5-year, 7-site study of end-of-life care in AL funded by the National Institute on Aging (R01AG047408), we investigate informal care partners’ involvement in end-of-life care and identify challenges related to informal caregiving that might contribute to care burden. Grounded theory analysis of ethnographic data and in-depth interviews (average interview length = 97 minutes) with 59 racially and ethnically diverse informal care partners (mean age = 60) shows that informal care partner involvement in end-of-life care varies across participants and over time and is shaped by multiple intersecting social and structural determinants. At individual levels, these include many personal, situational, and relational factors. Personal factors include but are not limited to care partners’ own physical and mental health and material resources (e.g., ability to pay for supplementary care). Situational and relational factors include care partners’ awareness (or lack thereof) of residents’ impending death and the quality of the caregiving relationship. AL and wider community-level factors include understaffing, staff turnover, inadequate hospice support, and lack of access to these services. We find that informal care partners navigate these caregiving challenges through a basic social process we conceptualize as “negotiating risks.” Strategies for easing caregiver burden and improving informal care partner and resident quality of life at end of life are implicated.

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