scholarly journals Photo-Elicited Conversations about Therapy Dogs as a Tool for Engagement and Communication in Dementia Care: A Case Study

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 820
Author(s):  
Lena Nordgren ◽  
Margareta Asp
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Inner Life ◽  
Therapy Dog ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Video Observations ◽  
Person With Dementia

Understanding the inner life of people with dementia can be challenging and there is a need for new and different approaches. Previous research shows that people with dementia can experience emotions such as harmony, closeness, and joy as well as sadness and concern when interacting with a therapy dog. Simultaneously, memories of past episodes are brought back to life when the person interacts with the dog. This raises questions about whether photos of interaction with a dog can evoke memories or support people with dementia in communicating emotions in a corresponding way. The aim of this study was to explore photo-elicited conversations as a tool for engagement and communication in dementia care. Repeated video observations of photo-elicited conversations between a woman with dementia and a dog handler/assistant nurse were used to collect data. The video recordings were analyzed with a phenomenological hermeneutical method. The role of photo-elicited conversations as a tool for engagement and communication in dementia care is that the conversations can help the person with dementia to feel a sense of being situated and recall feelings of liveliness and belongingness, and thus supporting the person’s sense of self. The results can be used to deepen nursing staff’s understanding of using photo-elicited conversations in dementia care.

Handbags and glad rags: preserving identity in dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 219-225
Author(s):  
Maggie Parry-Hughes ◽  
Karen Harrison Dening
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Presentation Of Self ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Self And Identity ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
Significant Factors

This article considers to what extent a person with dementia can maintain their sense of self and identity following diagnosis of dementia. The authors discuss identity in the context of dementia and illustrate this through the use of a hypothesised case study of a woman with a diagnosis of dementia. Theories and approaches that recognise and maintain identity and presentation of self, within the context of dress and accessories, and interactions with others, are discussed.Analysis of the related literature indicates that, given the necessary resources, people with dementia can live meaningful, purposeful lives, when supported to protect and preserve their identity.The environment and the role of ‘others’ are significant factors in maintaining the identity and individuality of a person with dementia.

Library services enriching community engagement for dementia care: The Tales & Travels Program at a Canadian Public Library as a case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110651
Author(s):  
Jiamin Dai ◽  
Joan C. Bartlett ◽  
Karyn Moffatt
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
People With Dementia

Growing dementia-friendly library services are contributing to community-based dementia care. Emerging community programs in libraries and museums provide notable opportunities for promoting engagement and inclusivity, but these programs have yet to receive in-depth assessments and analyses to guide future research and practice. This paper presents a case study examining a social and storytelling program for people with dementia run by a Canadian public library. It investigates two research questions: How can public library programs contribute to community-based dementia care? And what are public libraries’ strengths and challenges in running programs for people with dementia? The study involves participant observations of the program and semi-structured interviews with people with dementia, caregivers, and program facilitators (librarians and Alzheimer Society coordinators). Through thematic analysis of fieldnotes and transcripts, the study reveals how this inclusive platform supports engagement, fosters relationships, helps caregivers, and reaches broader communities. This research further uncovers the librarians’ diversified roles as demonstrated through their collaboration with professionals, preparation and research, and facilitation of the sessions. This paper advances librarianship research on enriching community-based dementia care, including furthering inclusivity and engagement and extending accessible library services. By analyzing library programming for the dementia community and assessing its strengths and challenges, the paper highlights librarians’ awareness of the community’s evolving needs and their collaboration with other professionals. It offers practical insights on useful resources and emerging best practices that will hopefully inspire other initiatives in which information professionals can help improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.

Stress as Experienced by People with Dementia: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1427-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara K Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Health and social care research on stress in dementia has predominantly considered the stress experienced by family and professional carers. Focus on the person with dementia has frequently laid emphasis on the impact of stress-related behaviour on others and how such behaviour might be ‘managed’. This paper describes a qualitative study which gives voice to people with dementia on the subject of stress and responds to the need for a better understanding of stress as it is experienced by people with dementia themselves. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on data collected from a purposive sample of people diagnosed with varying types of dementia from across Scotland. Discussions across five focus groups consisting of 21 participants with dementia in total generated data which was audio and video recorded, and analysed thematically. Five key themes emerged, described in the participants’ own words, which were: (1) ‘Something’s torn, your life’s torn’; (2) ‘Families can bring stress’; (3) ‘It’s the stress of living with dementia’; (4) ‘A whole new set of rules’; and (5) ‘It’s our lives and we’ll get it under control ourselves’. These themes reflect experiences of loss, challenges to one’s sense of self, relationship dynamics, living with the symptoms of dementia, learning to do things differently and establishing coping mechanisms that provide control. Study participants illustrated individual potential for adapting and coping with some of the most stressful aspects of living with dementia, challenging assumptions of inevitable fixed decline and progressive vulnerability to stress. Participants describe a process of recovery in their perceptions of self-worth, purpose and value in life following diagnosis.

scholarly journals The extended palliative phase of dementia – An integrative literature review

Dementia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hanson ◽  
Amanda Hellström ◽  
Åsa Sandvide ◽  
Graham A Jackson ◽  
Rhoda MacRae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Advanced Dementia ◽  
Subsequent Work ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Palliative Phase ◽  
Person With Dementia

This article presents an integrative literature review of the experience of dementia care associated with the extended palliative phase of dementia. The aim was to highlight how dementia is defined in the literature and describe what is known about the symptomatology and management of advanced dementia regarding the needs and preferences of the person with dementia and their family carer/s. There was no consistent definition of advanced dementia. The extended palliative phase was generally synonymous with end-of-life care. Advanced care planning is purported to enable professionals to work together with people with dementia and their families. A lack of understanding of palliative care among frontline practitioners was related to a dearth of educational opportunities in advanced dementia care. There are few robust concepts and theories that embrace living the best life possible during the later stages of dementia. These findings informed our subsequent work around the concept, ‘Dementia Palliare’.

Influence of leadership on implementing Dementia Care Mapping: A multiple case study

Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1976-1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Quasdorf ◽  
Sabine Bartholomeyczik
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Mapping ◽  
Dementia Care Mapping

Dementia Care Mapping is an internationally applied method for enhancing person-centred care for people with dementia in nursing homes. Recent studies indicate that leadership is crucial for the successful implementation of Dementia Care Mapping; however, research on this topic is rare. This case study aimed to explore the influence of leadership on Dementia Care Mapping implementation in four nursing homes. Twenty-eight interviews with project coordinators, head nurses and staff nurses were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Nursing homes that failed to implement Dementia Care Mapping were characterised by a lack of leadership. The leaders of successful nursing homes promoted person-centred care and were actively involved in implementation. While overall leadership performance was positive in one of the successful nursing homes, conflicts related to leadership style occurred in the other successful nursing homes. Thus, it is important that leaders promote person-centred care in general and Dementia Care Mapping in particular. Furthermore, different types of leadership can promote successful implementation. Trial registration of the primary study: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN43916381.

Ethical aspects of researching subjective experiences in early-stage dementia

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 651-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna-Mari Pesonen ◽  
Anne M Remes ◽  
Arja Isola
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Ethical Aspects ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Family ◽  
Research Interviews ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Person With Dementia

This article is based on a qualitative longitudinal study that followed the subjective experiences of both people living with dementia and their family members during the early stages of the illness. The purpose of this article is to describe and reflect on the ethical and methodological issues that occurred during data collection. The article focuses on the situation of the person with dementia and the family member and the role of the researcher when conducting the research interviews. Based on the results of this study, conducting research interviews with people with dementia and their family members poses several ethical and methodological challenges that must be addressed. In doing so, ethically sound dementia-specific research methods will be actively developed enhancing our understanding of living with dementia and providing new insights into the care of people with dementia and their family members.

The Emergence of the Person in Dementia Research

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
MURNA DOWNS
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Dementia Research ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this review is to identify and explore the emerging attention being paid to the individual in dementia research. Following a brief introduction, the review will examine literature which recognises three aspects of the person with dementia: the individual's sense of self; the person's rights; and the value to be gained from a concern with the perspectives of people with dementia. To date the medical model has dominated dementia research. This model tends to reduce the person with dementia to his/her neurobiology or neuropsychology (Cotrell and Schulz 1993). The experience and manifestation of dementia has been attributed solely to the disease process, with a consequent neglect of the psychosocial context surrounding the individual (Lyman 1989). Research on the psychosocial aspects of dementia has concentrated on family carers. Keady (1996) provides a useful categorisation of this research into the following topics: gender and coping style; marital relationships and the impact of dementia; access to information and services; participation in and effectiveness of support groups; adjustment and circumstances surrounding admission into care; and perception of own health needs. No literature focuses on people with dementia.

scholarly journals Notes from the hospital bedside: reflections on researcher roles and responsibilities at the end of life in dementia

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-211
Author(s):  
Caroline Margaret Swarbrick ◽  
Elizabeth Sampson ◽  
John Keady
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
Person With Dementia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the ethical and practical dilemmas faced by an experienced researcher in undertaking research with a person with dementia (whom we have called Amy). Amy died shortly after a period of observation had ended and the family subsequently consented to the data being shared. Design/methodology/approach This individual case study presentation was nested within a larger study conducted in England and Scotland between 2013 and 2014. The overall aim of the main study was to investigate how healthcare professionals and informal carers recognised, assessed and managed pain in patients living with dementia in a range of acute settings. Findings The presented case study of Amy raises three critical reflection points: (i) Researcher providing care, i.e. the place and positioning of compassion in research observation; (ii) What do the stories mean? i.e. the reframing of Amy's words, gestures and behaviours as (end of) life review, potentially highlights unresolved personal conflicts and reflections on loss; and (iii) Communication is embodied, i.e. the need to move beyond the recording of words to represent lived experience and into more multi-sensory methods of data capture. Originality/value Researcher guidance and training about end of life observations in dementia is presently absent in the literature and this case study stimulates debate in a much overlooked area, including the role of ethics committees.

scholarly journals Technology-Driven Solutions to Prompt Conversation, Aid Communication and Support Interaction for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Hoel ◽  
Carine Mendom Feunou ◽  
Karin Wolf-Ostermann
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Conversation Partner ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The impact of dementia on communication capabilities can result in difficulties in social interactions and between people with dementia and their conversation partner, as initiating and maintaining conversations becomes increasingly challenging. The role of technology in promoting social health and participation for people with dementia is increasing, but the usage on technological devices as a third party in social interactions to enhance communication quality is still in its infancy. The objective of this literature review is to provide a comprehensive description of technology-driven interventions for people with dementia and their conversation partners to enhance communication and facilitate positive social interactions. Methods A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO, where titles and abstracts were screened by two researchers independently. The reference lists of initially identified papers were hand-searched for further relevant studies. Quality appraisal of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.Results Twenty-six papers were included., where the most common technologies to facilitate communication and interactions were tablet-computers (n=11), social robots (n=7) and PCs (n=4). By analyzing the impacts of the device(s) on social interaction and communication, five major themes emerged: i) increased interaction; ii) better understanding of the person with dementia; iii) improved conversational quality; iv) reducing pressure on the conversation partner; and v) a conversational platform.Conclusion While the majority of the included studies are small-scale, they indicate promising findings on the potential of technology in helping dyads to interact in a way that relieves strain on the caregiver, enhances the relationship and engages people with dementia in social activities. Rigorous investigation using standard, comparable measurements is needed to demonstrate the effects of technological solutions, taking on the perspective on caregiving dyads as an entity rather than looking at outcomes for one member of the dyad in isolation.

Ethical aspects in dementia care - The use of psychosocial interventions

2020 ◽  
pp. 096973302095212
Author(s):  
Benedicte Sørensen Strøm ◽  
Knut Engedal
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Ethical Challenge ◽  
Ethical Aspects ◽  
Respect For Autonomy ◽  
Daily Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Clinical Practise ◽  
Person With Dementia

The use of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia is common and recommended because they focus on the underlying problem and well-being of the person. The promotion of well-being is a relevant dimension in person-centred care, where the aim is to confirm the person’s ‘personhood’. Most literature about ethics in dementia care instructs us on how and when to include people with dementia in our research. Little is written about the ethical aspects regarding the use of psychosocial interventions in daily care. In clinical practise, several challenges arise about the use of psychosocial interventions. Those include questions about the person’s ability to participate in decision-making and how we know what is best for them. Furthermore, we must consider what kinds of psychosocial interventions are best for everybody, or if intervention causes discomfort for the person. This article emphasizes the necessity to consider the ethical aspects of the implementation of psychosocial interventions while taking into consideration the persons individual needs. A particular ethical challenge arises when a person with dementia is unable to express themselves verbally. Therefore, it is essential that the staff know the history and preferences of each person with dementia. The ethical aspects of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia will be discussed using Beauchamp and Childress four ethical principles: respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The person-centred approach proposed by Kitwood’s and Brooker.

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