The Power of the Social Environment in Motivating Persons with Dementia to Engage in Occupation: Qualitative Findings

Abstract

A key element in persons with dementia's occupational engagement is the degree to which the social environment supports participation. This article summarizes the results of a qualitative study of eight assisted living facility residents, that explored volition in persons with moderate dementia. Extensive interviewing and observation were followed by the primary researcher's engagement and documentation of each resident in therapeutic activity sessions. Data were analyzed using van Manen's phenomenological approach, and three themes emerged. One, potency of the social environment, is the focus of this article. From the eight participants, two case studies are presented, one demonstrating the positive impact of therapeutic communication and social support on volitional behavior and occupational engagement and the other demonstrating the inhibiting effect of lack of therapeutic social interaction. Each case is analyzed using Epp's (2003, Person-centred dementia care: A vision to be refined. The Canadian Alzheimer's Disease Review, 14-18) Person-Centered Care model techniques and interaction modes recommended by Taylor's (2008, The intentional relationship: Occupational therapy and use of self. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.) Intentional Relationship Model. The article concludes with recommendations for promoting positive social interactions at the client, staff/family, and systems levels.

The impact of adopting person‐centred care approach for people with Alzheimer's on professional caregivers' burden: An interventional study

“…12 The translation of this paradigmatic change in the context of dementia care is the adoption of person-centred care. 9,[13][14][15][16][17] There is no agreement in the literature on the exact definition of what a person-centred care is. 12 However, as the name implies, the person, not the dementia, becomes the focus of the care.…”

“…Although the beneficial effects of adopting a personcentred care on people with dementia through increasing their quality of lives are well documented, little is known about the effects it has on professional caregivers. 15,22 It has been reported that professional caregivers find dealing with people with dementia extremely challenging. 17 In fact, full-time AD caregivers (as in professional caregivers) are at higher risk of having mental health problems than part-timers.…”

Person‐centredness and its association with resident well‐being in dementia care units

“…, Teitelman et al . ), improved skin condition related to showering (Sloane et al . ), and increased engagement in daily activities (Teitelman et al .…”

Dementia in the Context of Disability

“…Essentially, the VIPS framework emphasizes the importance of valuing people with dementia and those who care for them (V); treating people as their own, unique, individual self (I); altering their view of the world through the perspective of the person with dementia (P); and highlighting the importance of a positive social environment where the person with dementia can experience their own relative well being (S) (Brooker, 2003). The literature within dementia care points specifically to the need for applicable strategies to improve service delivery with enhanced client-centered care (Prorok et al, 2013;Teitelman et al, 2010). These four elements encompass client-centered care in a manner consistent with Kitwood's (1988) seminal work, as well as in a manner that truly places the care of the individual at the center of the medical experience.…”