Older people, dementia and neuro-dramatic-play: A personal and theoretical drama therapy perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-75
Author(s):  
Clive Holmwood
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Drama Therapy ◽  
Dramatic Play ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
History Of ◽  
With Memory

This conceptual article will consider Sue Jennings’ neuro-dramatic-play (NDP) as an overall theoretical framework for working with older people with dementia. NDP was developed over a number of years by pioneering UK drama therapist Sue Jennings. It is a culmination of attachment-based play, drama, movement and storytelling, and arts-based approaches that are used within drama therapy and other play and creative-based work with children. The author will consider from a personal and reflective perspective how NDP approaches can be adapted by drama therapists to work with older people with memory loss based on almost 30-years history of being involved in the field of drama therapy as a student and practioner, and his work with older people, at both the beginning of his career and his current reflections many years later.

Abuse of people with dementia

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Selwood ◽  
Claudia Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Population ◽  
Older People ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
With Memory

SummaryPeople with dementia are particularly vulnerable to abuse. It is inherently difficult to study as it is a hidden offence, perpetrated against vulnerable people with memory impairment, by those on whom they depend. In the general population, 6% of older people have experienced abuse in the last month and this rises to approximately 25% in vulnerable populations such as people with dementia. We know that various factors in the carer and the care recipient can predispose to a higher rate of abuse and this knowledge can be harnessed to try and improve prevention. There are also valid and reliable scales available to help detect abuse in vulnerable older adults. All health and social care professionals have a responsibility to act on any suspicion or evidence of significant abuse or neglect in order to ensure that appropriate management is taken.

scholarly journals Service provision for older homeless people with memory problems: a mixed-methods study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Kritika Samsi ◽  
Louise Joly ◽  
Maureen Crane ◽  
Heather Gage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Memory Assessment ◽  
Health Lifestyle ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
With Memory

Background Early or timely recognition of dementia is a key policy goal of the National Dementia Strategy. However, older people who are homeless are not considered in this policy and practice imperative, despite their high risk of developing dementia. Objectives and study design This 24-month study was designed to (1) determine the prevalence of memory problems among hostel-dwelling homeless older people and the extent to which staff are aware of these problems; (2) identify help and support received, current care and support pathways; (3) explore quality of life among older homeless people with memory problems; (4) investigate service costs for older homeless people with memory problems, compared with services costs for those without; and (5) identify unmet needs or gaps in services. Participants Following two literature reviews to help study development, we recruited eight hostels – four in London and four in North England. From these, we first interviewed 62 older homeless people, exploring current health, lifestyle and memory. Memory assessment was also conducted with these participants. Of these participants, 47 were included in the case study groups – 23 had ‘memory problems’, 17 had ‘no memory problems’ and 7 were ‘borderline’. We interviewed 43 hostel staff who were participants’ key workers. We went back 3 and 6 months later to ask further about residents’ support, service costs and any unmet needs. Findings Overall, the general system of memory assessment for this group was found to be difficult to access and not patient-centred. Older people living in hostels are likely to have several long-term conditions including mental health needs, which remain largely unacknowledged. Participants frequently reported experiences of declining abilities and hostel staff were often undertaking substantial care for residents. Limitations The hostels that were accessed were mainly in urban areas, and the needs of homeless people in rural areas were not specifically captured. For many residents, we were unable to access NHS data. Many hostel staff referred to this study as ‘dementia’ focused when introducing it to residents, which may have deterred recruitment. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, no other study and no policy acknowledges hostels as ‘dementia communities’ or questions the appropriateness of hostel accommodation for people with dementia. Given the declining number of hostels in England, the limits of NHS engagement with this sector and growing homelessness, this group of people with dementia are under-recognised and excluded from other initiatives. Future work A longitudinal study could follow hostel dwellers and outcomes. Ways of improving clinical assessment, record-keeping and treatment could be investigated. A dementia diagnosis could trigger sustained care co-ordination for this vulnerable group. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Drama therapy with older people with dementia—Does it improve quality of life?

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 40-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Jaaniste ◽  
Sheridan Linnell ◽  
Richard L. Ollerton ◽  
Shameran Slewa-Younan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Drama Therapy ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
People With Dementia

scholarly journals “It Makes You Feel That You Are There”: Exploring the Acceptability of Virtual Reality Nature Environments for People with Memory Loss

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Noreen Orr ◽  
Nicola L. Yeo ◽  
Sarah G. Dean ◽  
Mathew P. White ◽  
Ruth Garside
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Term Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Future Work ◽  
With Memory

Aim: To report on the acceptability of virtual reality (VR) nature environments for people with memory loss at memory cafes, and explore the experiences and perceptions of carers and staff. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between January and March 2019. Ten adults with memory loss, eight carers and six volunteer staff were recruited from two memory cafes, located in Cornwall, UK. There were 19 VR sessions which were audio recorded and all participants were interviewed at the end of the sessions. Framework analysis was used to identify patterns and themes in the data. Results: During the VR experience, participants were engaged to varying degrees, with engagement facilitated by the researcher, and in some cases, with the help of a carer. Participants responded positively to the nature scenes, finding them soothing and evoking memories. The VR experience was positive; many felt immersed in nature and saw it as an opportunity to ‘go somewhere’. However, it was not always positive and for a few, it could be ‘strange’. Participants reflected on their experience of the VR equipment, and volunteer staff and carers also shared their perceptions of VR for people with dementia in long-term care settings. Conclusions: The VR nature experience was an opportunity for people with memory loss to be immersed in nature and offered the potential to enhance their quality of life. Future work should build on lessons learned and continue to work with people with dementia in developing and implementing VR technology in long-term care settings.

Effects of supporting facilities on memory loss among older people with dementia in care and attention homes

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-448
Author(s):  
Mei-yung Leung ◽  
Chendi Wang ◽  
Timothy CY Kwok
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
People With Dementia

Supporting facilities (SF) including handrails, signage, finishes, furniture and recreational facilities facilitate the daily life of older persons. Memory loss is one of the most common signs of dementia affecting the daily life of older persons. Therefore, they may need special SF in residential homes. In order to improve the quality of daily life of older people with dementia, this study aims to investigate the effects of SF on the memory loss of those living in care and attention (C&A) homes. A questionnaire survey was conducted among elderly C&A home residents aged 65 and above in Hong Kong. A Supporting Facilities-Memory Loss model was established based on correlation and regression analyses. The model confirmed the following: (1) none of the SF items affects long-term memory loss; (2) satisfaction with signage, finishes and furniture leads to a reduction of short-term memory loss; (3) satisfaction with handrails, signage and finishes enhances spatial memory and (4) satisfaction with the location of signage reduces time confusion. Practical recommendations are proposed, including using large and well-placed signage with pictograms and icons, avoiding the removal and modification of furniture, enhancing colour contrasts between different functional rooms, installing handrails with a consideration for orientation strategies, and so on.

The impact of the marital relationship on the experience of caring for an elderly spouse with dementia

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROSE D. H. LEWIS
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Marital Relationship ◽  
Intensive Study ◽  
Life Course Approach ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Case Vignettes ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact

Husbands and wives constitute a large proportion of carers of those older people suffering dementia. Many older people with dementia have had a long history of personal relationships, often having lived with the same partner for most of their lives. Following the life course approach, this study explores the ways in which a couple's marital experiences impinge upon the challenges faced when a spouse develops dementia in late life and is cared for by his or her partner. I start by surveying the relevant literature. The second section outlines a study of nine couples and includes brief case vignettes. In the third section I seek to test out hypotheses extrapolated from the material, with the theme of how perceptions of the caring situation are related to perceptions of the pre-morbid marital relationship, drawing heavily upon the case material. No single discussion is exhaustive, as any of these hypotheses are worthy of intensive study in their own right. I conclude with a summary of the findings and a reflection on how professionals might put these findings into practice.

The age of symbolic economic policies?

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-265
Author(s):  
Peter Galbács
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Policy Tools ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Mainstream Economics ◽  
History Of ◽  
Theoretical Considerations ◽  
Macroeconomic Environment

This paper offers a few remarks on the so-called heterodoxy commentaries of recent times (e.g. Bod 2013, Csaba 2011). In accordance with the growing popularity of unusual economic policy actions, a set of “tools” is emerging that aims to exert its effects breaking with instrumental actions. Outlining a special framework of the history of mainstream economics, it will be argued that economic policy only gradually has become capable of applying this system. In our view, both the emergence of symbolic economic policies mentioned above and the rise of heterodoxy are on the same level, since certain governments can only operate through giving signals. Although it is not the time to formulate ultimate and eternal generalised statements, it may perhaps be stated that symbolic economic policies can make some room for manoeuvring available as a last resort. In other words, the possibility of a certain kind of economic policy “tools” can be derived from theoretical considerations, and this set has become highlighted recently by some constraining changes in the macroeconomic environment. Our theoretical framework will be filled sporadically with some episodes from the last few years of the economic policy of Hungary.

Role of MicroRNA Genes miR-1000 and miR-375 in Forming Olfactory Conditional Memory in Drosophila melanogaster

MicroRNA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadniman Rahman ◽  
Chaity Modak ◽  
Mousumi Akter ◽  
Mohammad Shamimul Alam
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Neural Integration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Locomotion Speed ◽  
Microrna Genes ◽  
With Memory

Background: Learning and memory is basic aspects in neurogenetics as most of the neurological disorders start with dementia or memory loss. Several genes associated with memory formation have been discovered. MicroRNA genes miR-1000 and miR-375 were reported to be associated with neural integration and glucose homeostasis in some insects and vertebrates. However, neuronal function of these genes is yet to be established in D. melanogaster. Objective: Possible role of miR-1000 and miR-375 in learning and memory formation in this fly has been explored in the present study. Methods: Both appetitive and aversive olfactory conditional learning were tested in the miR-1000 and miR-375 knockout (KO) strains and compared with wild one. Five days old third instar larvae were trained by allowing them to be associated with an odor with reward (fructose) or punishment (salt). Then, the larvae were tested to calculate their preferences to the odor trained with. Learning index (LI) values and larval locomotion speed were calculated for all strains. Results: No significant difference was observed for larval locomotion speed in mutant strains. Knockout strain of miR-1000 showed significant deficiency in both appetitive and aversive memory formation whereas miR-375 KO strain showed a significantly lower response only in appetitive one. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate important role played by these two genes in forming short-term memory in D. melanogaster.

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