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The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of co-creativity in relation to artistic practice with people with a dementia. The aim of the discussion is to outline how co-creativity offers fresh approaches for engaging artists and people with dementia, can contribute to less restrictive understandings of “creativity” and above all, expand the understanding of people with a dementia as creative, relational and agential.

In order to examine current conceptions of co-creativity and to inform the artistic practice, relevant literature was explored and eight expert interviews were conducted. The interviews were thematically analysed and are included here.

This paper consequently demonstrates that improvisation, structure, leadership and equality are central elements of co-creative processes and outlines how co-creativity can offer fresh insights into the way in which the arts can engage people with a dementia, the relationship between creativity and dementia and the transformative potential of the co-creative arts for those living with a dementia.

The paper discusses some of the difficulties that are inherent a co-creative approach, including power relations and the limitations of inclusivity. Due to ethical restrictions, the paper is limited by not including the perspectives of people living with a dementia.

This paper paves the way for future research into co-creative processes in a variety of different contexts.

A more nuanced understanding of co-creativity with people with dementia could challenge the dominant biomedical and social paradigms that associate “dementia” with irretrievable loss and decline by creating opportunities for creative agency.

This exploration of co-creativity with people with dementia is the first of its kind and contributes to the wider understanding of co-creativity and co-creative practice.

The purpose of this paper is to understand factors that affect viewing of television news programmes by people living with dementia, and to identify dementia-friendly design principles for television news programmes and factors for personalising object-based media broadcast.

Extensive public involvement comprising two discussion groups with people with dementia and family carers informed the study design and provided supplementary secondary data. Primary data collection comprised a focus group interview with people with dementia (n=4) and family carers (n=4). Past viewing experiences and perceived barriers and facilitators to viewing television were explored. Participants commented on an array of video clips comprising varying segments of fictional news programmes, plus control versions of each segment.

Four themes were identified: content (general comments, context, type of media and pace); presenter (body language, clothing and accent); background (location and studio appearance); and technical aspects (graphics, sound, colours, camera, transitions, general issues).

Limitations included a modest sample size which is offset by exemplary public involvement in informing the study design.

Measures ensured research involvement and participation was made accessible to people living with dementia.

Participants benefited from sharing views with peers and expressed enhanced wellbeing from knowing their participation could lead to improved television viewing, an important social occupation, for people with dementia in the future.

This study is the first to be published which focusses on dementia-friendly television news programmes.

The purpose of this paper is to report how an evaluation tool originally developed for Age-Friendly Cities was pilot-tested in the context of the Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) initiative of the city of Sheffield/UK. It presents finding and outputs on which other communities with dementia friendly agendas can draw.

The original evaluation tool was adapted to a focus on dementia friendliness. Data collection involved scoping conversations, documentary analysis, interviews and group discussions. Following evidence appraisal, Sheffield’s approach to dementia friendliness was assessed. A local steering group was central to the study.

The evidence indicates areas of strength in Sheffield’s approach to dementia friendliness: involvement of older people; service provision; collaboration; monitoring and evaluation. Scope for improvement was identified around resource allocation, and use of existing guidance on dementia friendliness. Recommendations for policy and practice include enhancing pooling of resources, more detailed recording of resources allocated to dementia-related activity, and collection of evidence on how people affected by dementia have shaped the city’s DFC initiative. Key research outputs are an adaptable logic model and an emerging evaluation framework for DFCs.

The study was a short pilot with limited resources. Its findings and outputs must be considered preliminary.

The findings and outputs provide a basis for further research. The study has suggested key components of an evaluation framework for DFCs. It is informing ongoing work to develop such a framework.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between one aspect of primary care in England – the annual review by general practitioners for dementia patients – and length of hospital stay (LoS). The annual review should identify the needs of both patients and carers and co-ordinate services across health and social care to address those needs. If this is done well, timely discharge from hospital may be facilitated.

The study uses linked national data from 2006/2007 to 2010/2011 on over 36,000 patients, employing sophisticated statistical techniques to isolate the effect of the annual dementia review on LoS.

Hospital patients discharged to the community have significantly shorter stays if they are cared for by practices that reviewed a higher percentage of their patients with dementia. However, this effect is small and is not evident for patients discharged to care homes or who died in hospital. Longer LoS is associated with a range of co-morbidities, markers of low availability of social care and with intensive provision of informal care.

Although the dementia review has only a modest effect on LoS, the components of the review could improve the health and well-being of those with dementia and their carers.

The study is the first to employ a robust methodology to investigate the impact of the annual dementia review on hospital LoS, an important aspect of the interface between primary and secondary care. There are implications for clinical and financial aspects of health and social care policy.

The purpose of this paper is to gain consensus regarding the clinical priorities and tasks required in supporting communication needs in those living with semantic dementia and their families, by specialist speech and language therapists (SLTs), working in clinical practice within dementia care settings in the UK.

A nominal group technique was used, followed by further exploration and refinement of issues using a modified Delphi technique with a group of six SLTs who specialised in dementia care and who had experience of working with individuals with semantic dementia and their families.

The findings in the study demonstrate a broader scope of practice than is evident within the research literature with this client group. Therapists identified a range of psychosocial issues for both the person with semantic dementia and their family, in particular finding ways to support activity and participation in conversation and explore barriers and facilitators within the communication environment.

This represents the first study to explore everyday practice in this rarer dementia and the information gathered here will be of use to a variety of health and social care professions interested in supporting those with semantic dementia and their families.

Dementia is a complex, progressively degenerative condition. It results in loss of cognitive and functional capabilities, along with a significant increase in the level of dependency. A reduction in the use of pharmacological interventions correlates with an increased in good quality non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of 14-session face-to-face cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and Sonas group interventions on individuals living with dementia with moderate cognitive impairment, from pre-intervention to post-intervention in terms of their cognition, communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and quality of life.

A pilot single blind prospective controlled trial evaluated two group intervention approaches, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and Sonas, with 28 participants with moderate dementia. Pseudorandomisation and single blinding were implemented. CST has a solid evidence base. Sonas is a widely used multi-sensory intervention in Ireland with an emerging evidence base. Participants were recruited from a mental health service. Participants who had a formal diagnosis of dementia, moderate cognitive impairment and some ability to communicate and understand communication were included.

Results supported CST to a greater extent than Sonas. The CST group showed significant changes in cognition (p = 0.032) and communication (p = 0.006). Both groups had significant changes in carer quality of life (CST, p = 0.019; Sonas, p = 0.035). Results support the recommendations for a future definitive trial.

Rehabilitation potential of individuals living with moderate dementia was demonstrated. This study suggests that group interventions like these impact on the trajectory of dementia.

Rehabilitation interventions impact on the trajectory of dementia. CST and Sonas have no impact on activities of daily living. Future studies with larger sample sizes, 16 weeks intervention period and control groups are required.

This pilot study supports CST over Sonas interventions for individuals living with moderate dementia. Multiple outcome measures demonstrated trends towards significance for both interventions. Future definitive trials may detect a significant effect of both interventions.

A dementia diagnosis is devastating and generally creates negative perceptions and associations (Alvira, 2014). In contrast, the outcomes of this study are positive. This study provides evidence that occupational therapist intervention can impact on the trajectory of the condition with people with dementia demonstrating that they do have rehabilitation potential by responding to treatment and improving and maintaining their abilities as they progress through the condition.

This paper aims to share how the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research co-designs research within a national programme of work to improve the lives of older adults and those affected by dementia. Through examples of this work, the authors identify the barriers and enablers to participatory approaches and lessons to inform future involvement activities.

This study reflects on implementing the UK National Standards for Public Involvement into practice. Of international relevance, the observations span the research process from research prioritisation and design to research implementation and knowledge exchange.

This study demonstrates the importance of using a relational approach, working toward a common purpose and engaging in meaningful dialogue. Only through offering choice and flexibility and actively learning from one another can co-design lead to synergistic relationships that benefit everyone.

Key implications for researchers engaged in patient and public involvement are be receptive to other people’s views and acknowledge expertise of those with lived experience alongside those with academic expertise. Training, resources and time are required to effectively support involvement and meaningful relationships. A nominated contact person enables trust and mutual understanding to develop. This is an ongoing collective learning experience that should be embedded throughout the entire research process.

This paper demonstrates how the standards are implemented with people who are often excluded from research to influence a national programme of work.

Due to the increasing incidence of dementia in Ireland, there is a need to prepare occupational therapy students for future careers in dementia-focused health care. The purpose of this study are to measure the knowledge and attitudes of Irish undergraduate occupational therapy students towards older people with dementia and examine related variables including year of study, personal and placement dementia experiences and future career choice.

Data was gathered using a cross-sectional online survey, incorporating the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale and the Dementia Attitudes Scale, which was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Seventy-five responses were gathered and analysed, indicating more advanced occupational therapy students demonstrate higher levels of dementia knowledge, but dementia attitudes remain similar across different year groups. Students with clinical dementia experiences displayed comparable levels of dementia knowledge and attitudes to those without. However, students with familial dementia experiences displayed significantly more positive attitudes. The likelihood of selecting a future career with older adults with dementia significantly related to students’ positive dementia attitudes but not dementia knowledge.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first Irish study that focuses on undergraduate occupational therapy students’ dementia knowledge and attitudes. The results could be used to inform and develop Irish undergraduate occupational therapy programmes.