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A 'how to' guide: setting up and running gaming technology groups for people with dementia
- Authors:
- HICKS Ben, et al
- Publisher:
- Bournemouth University Dementia Institute
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- Bournemouth
This guide is aimed at health professionals, dementia support workers and community volunteers who are thinking about using commercially available gaming technology to improve the lives of people with dementia. It provides practical information to support the setting up and running gaming technology groups for people with dementia, including: finding the right venue and inviting people to join; choosing the technology and using it with people with dementia and; and collecting information to determine if it is working and secure future funding. (Edited publisher abstract)
Experiences of rural life among community-dwelling older men with dementia and their implications for social inclusion
- Authors:
- HICKS Ben, INNES Anthea, NYMAN Samuel R.
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 20(2), 2021, pp.444-463.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Current international dementia care policies focus on creating ‘dementia-friendly’ communities that aim to support the social inclusion of people with dementia. Although it is known that the geo-socio-cultural rural environment can impact on the experiences of people living with dementia, this can be overlooked when exploring and implementing social inclusion policies. This paper addresses an important gap in the literature by exploring the perceptions of daily life for older men (65+ years) living with dementia in three rural areas of England. Open interviews were conducted with 17 rural-dwelling older men with dementia and the data elicited were analysed thematically to construct two higher order themes. The first focussed on ‘Cracking on with life in a rural idyll’ and highlighted the benefits of rural living including the pleasant, natural environment, supportive informal networks and some accessible formal dementia support. The second presented ‘A challenge to the idyll’ and outlined difficulties the men faced including a lack of dementia awareness amongst their family and the wider rural community as well as the physical and internal motivational barriers associated with the rural landscape and their dementia. The findings were interpreted through a lens of social inclusion and demonstrated how the geo-socio-cultural rural environment both enabled and inhibited facets of the men’s experiences of life in their communities. Based on these findings, the paper offers recommendations for practitioners, researchers and policy makers wishing to promote social inclusion in rural-dwelling older men living with dementia. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the ‘active mechanisms’ for engaging rural-dwelling older men with dementia in a community technological initiative
- Authors:
- HICKS Ben, INNES Anthea, NYMAN Samuel R.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 40(9), 2020, pp.1906-1938.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Research has suggested ecopsychosocial initiatives can promote a sense of wellbeing and inclusion in people with dementia. However, few studies have elucidated the ‘active mechanisms’ whereby such initiatives can achieve these outcomes, so hindering their generalisability. This is particularly pertinent when seeking to support community-dwelling older men with dementia who are reluctant to engage with traditional health and social care initiatives. This paper reports on a study that drew from the principles of Participatory Action Research to explore the ‘active mechanisms’ of a technological initiative for older men (65+ years) with dementia in rural England. An individually tailored, male-only initiative, using off-the-shelf computer game technology (e.g. iPad, Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Kinect) was delivered over a nine-week period. Multiple qualitative methods were employed, including: focus groups, open interviews and extensive reflective field notes, to gather data from the perspective of 22 men, 15 care partners and five community volunteers. The data were analysed thematically and interpreted using a masculinity lens. Three mechanisms contributed to the initiative's success: the use of the technology, the male-only environment and the empowering approach adopted. The paper argues that initiatives aimed at community-dwelling older men with dementia would be advised to consider these gendered experiences and ensure participants can maximise their masculine capital when participating in them, by providing enabling activities, non-threatening environments and empowering approaches of delivery. (Edited publisher abstract)
Technology, fun and games
- Authors:
- CUTLER Clare, HICKS Ben, INNES Anthea
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 22(4), 2014, pp.12-13.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
This article reports on two technology groups commissioned by Bournemouth Borough Council and discusses observations of using commercial technology with people with dementia within the community and an assisted living care setting. A total of 14 technology sessions were delivered to 13 people living with dementia, led by two facilitators. One group was for residents in Dementia Specific Assisted Living Accommodation (DSALA) and the other group was for people with dementia living in the community (DC). Sessions lasted for two hours and were delivered weekly for six weeks. The groups were introduced to the technologies of Nintendo Wii, iPad's and Nintendo DS. Both groups were successful in engaging all participants with the technology to some extent. Adopting an person-centred approach and understanding the life histories, hobbies and current interests was an important factor. Physical aspects of some of the gaming equipment created barriers for use, such as screen size, touch sensitivity settings. Differences were also identified between the DSALA and DC groups. (Edited publisher abstract)