A literature-based intervention for older people living with dementia

Billington, Josie; Carroll, Janine; Davis, Philip; Healey, Christine

doi:10.1177/1757913912470052

Cited by 62 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The current findings, combined with existing qualitative (Billington et al, 2013;CRILS, 2014) and quantitative (Billington et al, 2013) This evaluation does not permit definite conclusions about SR's mechanisms of impact, although it is possible to speculate on the basis of existing literature. Social contact, for example, is known to be an important requirement for dementia patients (van der Roest et al, 2007), and SR provides a supportive forum in which residents can engage in meaningful interactions with facilitators, healthcare staff, and one another.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…Whilst the conclusions that can be drawn from the current data are limited, our findings are consistent with an existing evidence base that demonstrates the valuable contribution of nonpharmacological interventions, specifically participatory artsbased strategies, for the care of dementia patients (Gerdner, 2000). Although further research is needed, existing work demonstrates that SR is associated with a reduction in neuropsychiatric symptoms (Billington et al, 2013); is able to utilise emotionally powerful literature to trigger 'awakenings' in people living with dementia; offer a richly attentive presentness in the activity and a sense of activated newness or renewal in the experience (which is different from mindfulness or reminiscence therapy); offer supportive social contact; and provide enjoyment, meaningfulness, and an enhancement of listening, memory and attention (Billington et al, 2013;CRILS, 2014). Correspondingly, the current results indicate that three months of reading group participation has a quantifiable impact on quality of life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Initial experimental work is intriguing, but meagre. Specifically, assessment of 61 service-users and 20 staff members found that six months of SR was associated with clinical improvements on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q; Kaufer et al, 2000), with supporting qualitative interviews identifying three formative themes for effectiveness: 1) the components of the intervention itself (e.g., stimulating content, supportive staff presence); 2) enjoyment, authenticity, meaningfulness and renewed sense of personal identity; and 3) enhancement of listening, memory and attention (Billington et al, 2013). In turn, qualitative analysis of sessions with 40 care home residents indicated enjoyment, stimulation, and a sense of mastery and accomplishment (Centre for Research into Reading, Literature and Society: CRILS, 2014).…”

Section: The Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, while reading habits have been correlated with cognitive impairments in adults with age-related memory decline (Juncos-Rabadan et al, 2012), research in healthy adult populations has also shown that neural processing when reading complex poetry has the potential to galvanise brain pathways and to influence emotion networks and memory function (Davis, 2008;Davis et al, 2013;Thierry et al, 2008). In turn, a longitudinal cohort study of 294 individuals (mean follow-up 5.8 years) found that self-reported cognitive activity levels across the lifespan (e.g., reading, visiting libraries, letter writing) was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in each year prior to death, independently of common neuropathologic conditions (Wilson et al, 2013).…”

Section: The Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An evaluation of shared reading groups for adults living with dementia: preliminary findings

Longden

Davis

Carroll

et al. 2016

Journal of Public Mental Health

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Purpose – Although there is a growing evidence base for the value of psychosocial and arts-based strategies for enhancing well-being amongst adults living with dementia, relatively little attention has been paid to literature-based interventions. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of shared reading (SR) groups, a programme developed and implemented by The Reader Organisation, on quality of life for care home residents with mild/moderate dementia. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 31 individuals were recruited from four care homes, which were randomly assigned to either reading-waiting groups (three months reading, followed by three months no reading) or waiting-reading groups (three months no reading, followed by three months reading). Quality of life was assessed by the DEMQOL-Proxy and psychopathological symptoms were assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. Findings – Compared to the waiting condition, the positive effects of SR on quality of life were demonstrated at the commencement of the reading groups and were maintained once the activity ended. Low levels of baseline symptoms prevented analyses on whether the intervention impacted on the clinical signs of dementia. Research limitations/implications – Limitations included the small sample and lack of control for confounding variables. Originality/value – The therapeutic potential of reading groups is discussed as a positive and practical intervention for older adults living with dementia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

An evaluation of shared reading groups for adults living with dementia: preliminary findings

Longden

Davis

Carroll

et al. 2016

Journal of Public Mental Health

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show abstract

“…Although, as the author states, such environments are no substitute for well-trained empathizing staff, however they can be used to therapeutic advantage. As can group reading activities, which are the focus of the paper by Billington et al 3 Here it was found that engagement in a literature based intervention could produce a significant reduction in dementia symptom severity, although it was recognized that further research is required.…”

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confidence: 99%

Editorial: Dementia

2013

Perspect Public Health

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DementiaDementia is a growing public health concern and has achieved a National Health Priority status in England and beyond, with the Government pledging to develop dementia-friendly communities and create 20 dementia-friendly cities by 2013, as well as more than doubling the funding for research to over £66 million by 2015. While not a consequence of ageing, the prevalence of dementia is increasing as people live longer and the proportion of older people in the population rises. By 2019, 38 per cent of the population will be aged over 50, and by 2029, this will have risen to 40 per cent. A significant proportion of this elderly population will have dementia -one in five over the age of 65.Currently, around 800,000 people in the UK have dementia and this number is expected to double in the next 30 years. Fear of getting lost or being misunderstood, and fear of not being able to access services such as shops, banks, transport and leisure activities are all reasons why people with dementia find life a challenge. For people with the condition, even simple tasks can be hazardous and therefore it is often just easier to stay at home. Falls are the subject of a current topic piece in this issue where it is recognized that unintentional injuries pose an important risk to older people. 1Public health is a multi-professional discipline and dementia a condition where all actors have a part to play from gritting pavements to improving health services. A good example of inter-professional involvement is a welcome contribution by Habell, an architect, who debates the health and behaviour benefits of the environment.2 Innovative design of internal space can be used for therapeutic advantage using movement, memory trails, behaviour cues, signage and light spectrum control. Although, as the author states, such environments are no substitute for well-trained empathizing staff, however they can be used to therapeutic advantage. As can group reading activities, which are the focus of the paper by Billington et al. 3 Here it was found that engagement in a literature based intervention could produce a significant reduction in dementia symptom severity, although it was recognized that further research is required.The growing diversity of older people with dementia is also recognized in a book by Gonzales et al, 'Dementia Care with Black and Latino Families: A social work problem solving approach'. This serves as a good introduction to cultures and context with which practitioners may be unfamiliar. Dementia in the future will touch us all, either as someone with the condition or as a carer. Services will need to be designed to achieve better awareness, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, throughout the dementia journey and in every setting. People with dementia, and their carers, increasingly require help to cope. To support people effectively, professionals will need to broaden their focus beyond traditional health and social care responses to include a much wider range of services and functions which are important to people...

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How Information Science Research Can Contribute to the Development of Dementia‐Friendly Communities

Faletar,

Petr Balog

2023

Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Tech

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Dementia is a progressive and incurable disease which impacts both people who have been diagnosed with some type of neurocognitive disorder but also their family members. Since dementia care has lately started to include not only pharmacological treatment and medical care but also a person‐centred and evidence‐based (neuro)rehabilitation in the community, library and information science scholars and professionals have started to investigate how they can contribute to development of dementia‐friendly communities. The paper discusses how findings from an ongoing multi‐phase research have been translated into practice in the city of Osijek, Croatia. Information sciences scholars have collaborated with librarians, civic organizations, neurology and human rights professionals to develop diverse programs in the local community, which aim to raise the quality of life of older citizens, people with dementia and their caregivers through information sharing and raising awareness, supporting their health and wellbeing, and capacity building of librarians.

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A literature-based intervention for older people living with dementia

Cited by 62 publications

References 16 publications

An evaluation of shared reading groups for adults living with dementia: preliminary findings

An evaluation of shared reading groups for adults living with dementia: preliminary findings

Editorial: Dementia

How Information Science Research Can Contribute to the Development of Dementia‐Friendly Communities

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