Enhancing engagement in meaningful occupation in a dementia town: A qualitative evaluation of MOED – The meaningful occupational engagement intervention for people with dementia

Dementia ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 147130122110539
Author(s):  
Kamilla Kielsgaard ◽  
Pernille Tanggaard Andersen ◽  
Sissel Horghagen ◽  
Dorthe Nielsen ◽  
Mette Hartvig Hansen ◽  
...  

Introduction Engagement in meaningful everyday life occupations is linked to well-being. However, people with dementia are often deprived of engagement. As a response, a Danish Dementia Town was established with the intention of transforming care services to improve opportunities for meaningful engagement. The evidence-based The meaningful occupational engagement intervention for people with dementia (MOED) intervention was developed and implemented in dementia town to enhance meaningful occupational engagement. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the content, impact and implementation process of MOED. Method To evaluate MOED, we applied a program theory-based qualitative approach, building on participant observations and informal conversations with people with dementia ( n = 7) and staff ( n = 9). Data were analysed from a hermeneutic approach to gain an in-depth understanding of how MOED influenced meaningful occupational engagement and to evaluate the implementation process. Findings The main theme ‘Engagement in meaningful occupations – a conditional and fragile process’ emerged along with three subthemes: ‘Creating an everyday space of meaning: Conditions of the intervention’, ‘Occupational engagement as an opportunity to blossom: Impact of the intervention’ and ‘Professional identity, culture and reflections: Contextual barriers to changes to working practice’. Together, the subthemes illustrate how engagement in meaningful occupations arose. However, opportunities to engage in meaningful occupations were fragile, as they depended on various factors within the context. Conclusion Engagement in meaningful occupations emerged when MOED was applied in accordance with the program theory, as it seemed to create spaces where people with dementia could engage in meaningful occupations and they could blossom over time. However, MOED was only partially implemented in accordance with the developed program theory, as several contextual barriers influenced the sustainability of the intervention. MOED showed potential to support improvement in dementia care activity programmes to enhance opportunities to engage in meaningful occupations in everyday life for people living with dementia.

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Fossey ◽  
Lucy Garrod ◽  
Azucena Guzman ◽  
Ingelin Testad

Objectives This study explored the experiences of a range of health and social care professionals employed in the role of trainer/coaches to support care home staff to implement a psychosocial intervention for residents living with dementia. It aimed to identify the factors which are pertinent to these roles, in the context of a cascade model of training. Method A focus group was convened involving dementia trainer/coaches and supervisors who had worked on Well-being and Health for people with Dementia randomised control trial. Twelve participants explored their preparedness for and experiences of their role as ‘Well-being and Health for people with Dementia therapists’. They reflected on their perceptions of the resources and support required. The data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Results Three main themes emerged from the data. Within the theme of ‘skills in relationship building’ were two subthemes of developing trust and getting to know individual staff and each care home. In the second main theme of ‘making use of tangible resources’ two subthemes relating to using the Well-being and Health for people with Dementia manuals and the supervision of the therapists arose. The third theme, ‘being an agent for change’ contained three subthemes: effective training methods, creating opportunities for Dementia Champions to reflect and therapists' perceived rewards of their role. Conclusion The findings provide new insights into the trainer/coach role applicable to the practices of services recruiting, training and providing ongoing professional support to practitioners in-reaching into care homes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lethin ◽  
Hanson ◽  
Margioti ◽  
Chiatti ◽  
Gagliardi ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to describe the needs and expectations of support within everyday life among community-dwelling people living well with an early stage dementia and their informal carers. The study employed a qualitative design. Data were collected in 2018, via four focus group interviews with, in total, 17 people with dementia and 21 informal carers, transcribed and analyzed with manifest content analysis. Needs and expectations of support among persons with dementia were expressed as the importance of “Participation in my own care,” “Attitude of the informal carers,” and “Trusting relationships with informal carers.” Informal carers’ needs and expectations of support were expressed as the importance of “Formal care and services,” “Getting out of a carer mindset,” and “Family context.” The findings from this study highlighted that persons with dementia were well aware of their cognitive impairments and tried to maintain their independence, with both formal and informal care to help remain “being themselves.” Health professionals should acknowledge persons with dementia and informal carers’ well-being, and acknowledge the importance of their needs together with an understanding of the importance of continuity of frontline carers to building trusting relationships.


Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122199889
Author(s):  
Lydia Morris ◽  
Anthea Innes ◽  
Sarah Smith ◽  
Jack Wilson ◽  
Sophie Bushell ◽  
...  

Background Research suggests there is a lack of post-diagnostic support to enable people living with dementia to fulfil social and active lives throughout their dementia journey. Gardening has been found to have many benefits for people living with dementia. Although such research is important, most research frames people with dementia as passive recipients of stimulation. Research into the impact of a community-based gardening group, where people living with dementia are active in the development of an outdoor space, is underdeveloped. Knowledge about the impact of participating in such groups is also sparse. The Good Life Club (GLC) was co-developed and evaluated to respond to these gaps. Objectives The primary aim of this article is to present the findings regarding the impact of attending the GLC on the self-reported well-being for people living with dementia and care partners. Methods Qualitative data were collected via 22 semi-structured interviews. Fourteen interviews were conducted before the GLC and eight after the GLC. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Dementia Care Mapping data were collected to supplement the interview data. Findings Four key themes were identified. The first was that participants considered having active participation in social life to be a key aspect of living a good life. The second was that the way that the GLC was set up and delivered gave the participants ownership of the GLC and within this they felt able to contribute. The third was the importance of social connectedness and peer support to the well-being of both people living with dementia and care partners. Fourth, positive mood and well-being was directly experienced through gardening. Conclusions The combination of long-term investment of time and energy to the GLC, ongoing friendships and in-session autonomy act as key ingredients in creating a group that is relaxed, full of humour and highly valued.


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Öhman ◽  
Louise Nygård

The aim of this study was to uncover and describe the meanings and motives for engagement in self-chosen daily life occupations for elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease dwelling in the community. Six participants with Alzheimer's disease were included. Data were collected through repeated interviews and observations focusing on their motives for their self-chosen occupational engagement and the significance of the daily occupations. The analysis used a qualitative comparative and interpretative method. The findings show that the participants' occupations supported their ordinary pattern of everyday life and provided them with an opportunity to be in a coherent context. The occupations also allowed them to experience and communicate autonomy and certain characteristics of their identity and provided them with a private sphere. The findings revealed certain crucial but double-edged environmental keys to occupation. By identifying and supporting everyday occupations with personal meaning and value, therapists and caregivers may contribute to the well-being of individuals with Alzheimer's disease living in their own homes.


GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
Mechthild Niemann-Mirmehdi ◽  
Andreas Häusler ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Johanna Nordheim

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.


GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Kuemmel (This author contributed eq ◽  
Julia Haberstroh (This author contributed ◽  
Johannes Pantel

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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Liane Christie ◽  
Lizzy Mitzy Maria Boots ◽  
Huibert Johannes Tange ◽  
Frans Rochus Josef Verhey ◽  
Marjolein Elizabeth de Vugt

BACKGROUND Very few evidence-based eHealth interventions for caregivers of people with dementia are implemented into practice. Municipalities are one promising context to implement these interventions, due to their available policy and innovation incentives regarding (dementia) caregiving and prevention. In this study, two evidence-based eHealth interventions for caregivers of people with dementia (Partner in Balance and Myinlife) were implemented in eight municipalities in the Euregion Meuse-Rhine. OBJECTIVE This study’s objectives were to (1.) evaluate this implementation and (2.) investigate determinants of successful implementation. METHODS This study collected eHealth usage data, Partner in Balance coach evaluation questionnaires, and information on implementation determinants. This was done by conducting interviews with the municipality officials, based on the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Implementation (MIDI). This data from multiple sources and perspectives was integrated and analysed to form a total picture of the municipality implementation process. RESULTS The municipality implementation of Partner in Balance and Myinlife showed varying levels of success. In the end, three municipalities planned to continue the implementation of Partner in Balance, while none planned to continue the implementation of Myinlife. The two Partner in Balance municipalities that did not consider the implementation to be successful, viewed the implementation as an external project. For Myinlife, it was clear that more face-to-face contact was needed to engage the implementing municipality and the target groups. Successful implementations were linked to implementer self-efficacy CONCLUSIONS The experiences of implementing these interventions suggested that this implementation context was feasible regarding the required budget and infrastructure. The need to foster sense of ownership and self-efficacy in implementers will be integrated into future implementation protocols, as part of standard implementation materials for municipalities and organisations implementing Myinlife and Partner in Balance.


Author(s):  
Inmaculada Méndez ◽  
Esther Secanilla ◽  
Juan P. Martínez ◽  
Josefa Navarro

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.


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 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 153-154
Author(s):  
Afeez Hazzan

Abstract Dementia is one of the most rapidly growing diseases in the United States. In 2018, the direct costs to American society of caring for older people with dementia was approximately $277 billion. Primary informal caregivers are mainly responsible for the care of older people with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers perform a myriad of duties ranging from shopping for their loved ones’ groceries, helping with medications, and managing finances. The caregiving role becomes more demanding as the disease progresses over time, and studies have shown that the quality-of-life (QoL) experienced by caregivers of older adults who have dementia is lower than the QoL of caregivers for older people who do not have dementia. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no research conducted to investigate whether lower caregiver QoL affects the level or quality of care that caregivers provide to persons with dementia. In the current study, we interviewed family caregivers living in Rochester, New York to inquire about their quality of life and the care provided to older people living with dementia. Further, caregivers completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) as well as a draft questionnaire for measuring the quality of care provided to older people living with dementia. Both quantitative and qualitative findings from this study reveals important relationships between family caregiver QoL and the care provided, including the impact of social support and financial well-being. The study findings could have significant impact, particularly for the provision of much needed support for family caregivers.


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