Dying of Boredom: An Exploratory Case Study of Time Use, Apparent Affect, and Routine Activity Situations on Two Alzheimer’s Special Care Units

Abstract

The objective of this instrumental case study was to explore interrelationships among routine activity situations on 2 Alzheimer's special care units (SCUs) and 2 resident quality-of-life (QoL) indicators: daily time use and emotional well-being. Fourteen residents participated. We collected data across four 12-hr days using computer-assisted direct observations and computed associations of activity situations with QoL indicators and mean durations of QoL indicators in activity situations and daily by facility. We compared mean durations of QoL indicators across facilities and analyzed time-use profiles of 2 residents. We found that participants' capacities for activity engagement and emotional vitality were infrequently expressed at both SCUs. Diminished QoL was attributable to participants' dementia-related impairments coupled with insufficient attention to their occupational needs, initiatives, and capacities. Findings call for occupational therapists' involvement as educators, mentors, and consultants to enhance the effectiveness of routine activity situations in promoting QoL through everyday occupations.

Caring in the wake of the rising tide: Moral distress in residential nursing care of people living with dementia

“…MacDonald (2006), in a study exploring perceptions of family and staff in LTC, also noted the dearth of leisure opportunities within the LTC environment, a finding supported by the work of Wood, Womack, and Hooper (2009) and Benjamin et al (2011). Armstrong et al (2011) noted that the structural realities of LTC often mean social care of residents is neglected due to workload issues.…”

Supporting daily activities and indoor travel of persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease through standard technology resources

“…Black, 2012;Raggi et al, 2007). Withdrawal and depression can further complicate the patient's situation and make intervention attempts more difficult as the disease advances (Appleby, Roy, Valenti, & Lee, 2007;Onor et al, 2007;Tsuno & Homma, 2009;Williams & Tappen, 2007Wood, Womack, & Hooper, 2009). …”

Reminiscence of People with Dementia Mediated by a Tangible Multimedia Book

“…As such, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to engage in meaningful activities, although this is of high importance for their quality of life (Wood et al, 2009). "It is argued that reminiscence may be particularly important for demented individuals' psychological health given that the progressive deteriorating nature of the disease erodes the ability to achieve present successes and makes individuals increasingly dependent on past accomplishments for a sense of competency" (Kasl-Godley et al, 2000).…”

“…Dementia is a condition commonly associated with memory decline, however, the disease also impacts other cognitive functions such as speech, decision making, reasoning, or learning, thereby making it more and more difficult for people with dementia to engage in meaningful and social activities. This in turn impacts their self-confidence and quality of life (Wood et al, 2009).…”