Applying Intervention Mapping to Improve the Applicability of Precious Memories, an Intervention for Depressive Symptoms in Nursing Home Residents

Abstract

Precious memories (PM) is a life review intervention for depression in older adults with no to mild cognitive decline that has been implemented in multiple nursing homes (NHs) in the Netherlands. Previous research suggested its relevance but questioned its applicability. Therefore, this research aimed to (1) investigate the applicability of PM, and (2) increase its applicability, if necessary. Intervention mapping (IM) was used to achieve these goals: process evaluation through semi-structured interviews with psychologists (n = 11) and clients (n = 2) to identify potential improvements for PM and to set an improvement goal (IM-step 1); three focus groups with stakeholders (n = 20) to specify behaviors necessary to reach the improvement goal (IM-step 2); and selection of behavior change techniques and applications to facilitate attainment of these behaviors (IM-step 3). Results showed that psychologists perceived a high drop-out rate, which was partly due to PM being provided to clients that did not belong to the target group. Although PM was generally considered relevant, psychologists articulated its longer-term effects should be improved. To improve PM’s applicability, concrete maintenance strategies were developed aiming to maintain clients’ well-being by stimulating positive contact with others. Future research must pilot, implement and evaluate these strategies.

How to Make Narrative Interventions Work

“…Besides client values, research on counselor expertise provides information on how to make narrative interventions work. We addressed these in a number of process evaluations and design studies (Catala et al, 2020;Elfrink et al, 2022;Engelbertink, Kelders et al, 2020;Pol et al, 2022;van Venrooij et al, 2019). Across the several interventions, we have worked with a broad variety of counselors, including peers, students, volunteers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and licensed psychologists.…”

“…An example is the study of Iris van Venrooij et al (2019) on Precious Memories. In residential care, older adults with depressive complaints recall specific, positive memories with trained volunteers/psychologists to decrease depressive symptoms and increase mental well-being.…”

Enhancing the Quality of Care in Long-Term Care Settings

“…One paper presented a tool containing questions designed to help initiate conversations between innovators and care home staff [8], and another paper outlined essential learning directed at teams applying a Quality Improvement Collaborative tool in this context [9]. This Special Issue also comprises intervention studies, with interventions aimed at addressing depressive symptoms in nursing home residents [10,11], adjustment for new residents [12], social and psychological support [13], and loneliness and isolation [14]. Other studies present evidence which developed and tested quality indicators [15,16], and tools which capture the experience of quality from a resident's perspective [17,18], and assess partnership working between staff and families [19].…”