Journal of Dementia Care, 16(3), May 2008, pp.17-19.
Publisher:
Hawker
Professional carers need to recognise their role in helping people with dementia to maintain a full quality of life and . Seven factors important for the quality of life in people with dementia are discussed. These are: to have a sense of self; to interact socially and to be involved in relationships; to be actively involved in meaningful and enjoyable activities; to be satisfied with life
Professional carers need to recognise their role in helping people with dementia to maintain a full quality of life and . Seven factors important for the quality of life in people with dementia are discussed. These are: to have a sense of self; to interact socially and to be involved in relationships; to be actively involved in meaningful and enjoyable activities; to be satisfied with life and experience a sense of well-being; to be able to influence what happens; to be able to undertake activities of daily living as independent as possible; and to be healthy.
Background and Objectives: A 2008 European consensus on research outcome measures in dementia care concluded that measurement of carer quality of life (QoL) was limited. Three systematic reviews (2012, 2017, and 2018) of dementia carer outcome measures found existing instruments wanting. In 2017, recommendations were published for developing reliable measurement tools of carers’ needs...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background and Objectives: A 2008 European consensus on research outcome measures in dementia care concluded that measurement of carer quality of life (QoL) was limited. Three systematic reviews (2012, 2017, and 2018) of dementia carer outcome measures found existing instruments wanting. In 2017, recommendations were published for developing reliable measurement tools of carers’ needs for research and clinical application. The aim of this study was to develop a new instrument to measure the QoL of dementia carers (family/friends). Methods: Items were generated directly from carers following an inductive needs-led approach. Carers (n = 566) from 22 English and Welsh locations then completed the items and comparator measures at three time points. Rasch, factor, and psychometric (reliability, validity, responsiveness, and minimally important differences [MIDs]) analyses were undertaken. Results: Following factor analysis, the pool of 70 items was refined to three independent scales: primary SIDECAR-D (direct impact of caring upon carer QOL, 18 items), secondary SIDECAR-I (indirect impact, 10 items), and SIDECAR-S (support and information, 11 items). All three scales satisfy Rasch model assumptions. SIDECAR-D, I, S psychometrics: reliability (internal ≥ .70; test–retest ≥ .85); convergent validity (as hypothesized); responsiveness (effect sizes: D: moderate; I and S: small); MIDs (D = 9/100, I = 10/100, S = 11/100). Discussion and Implications: SIDECAR scales demonstrate robust measurement properties, meeting COSMIN quality standards for study design and psychometrics. SIDECAR provides a theoretically based needs-led QoL profile specifically for dementia carers. SIDECAR is free for use in public health, social care, and voluntary sector services, and not-for-profit organizations.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 19(4), 2020, pp.1316-1324.
Publisher:
Sage
There are an increasing number of people living with dementia in care home settings. Recent reports suggest that people who deliver care to residents living with dementia in care homes require specialist support to provide optimum care. To address this need Four Seasons Health Care, the largest provider of care homes within the UK today, sought to design a dementia care framework that enhanced...
(Publisher abstract)
There are an increasing number of people living with dementia in care home settings. Recent reports suggest that people who deliver care to residents living with dementia in care homes require specialist support to provide optimum care. To address this need Four Seasons Health Care, the largest provider of care homes within the UK today, sought to design a dementia care framework that enhanced the quality of life for people living with dementia in their care homes. The framework was designed using a robust evidence base, engagement with people living with dementia, their care partners, policy-writers, multidisciplinary professionals and people within the organisation. This paper describes the methodology behind the dementia care framework and outcomes data from the first phase (of 20 care homes that included the care of 451 people living with dementia). The main outcome was a significant improvement in the quality of the lives of residents across biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
quality of life, dementia, care homes, person-centred care;
Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 19(4), 2020, pp.1009-1028.
Publisher:
Sage
The number of people with dementia is increasing rapidly worldwide. Developing strategies to improve quality of life for those with dementia is crucial and is receiving more attention. Natural environments are known for their healing effects on most people. This pilot study aimed to understand the benefits that natural environments, such as gardens, can provide for people with dementia. In total...
(Publisher abstract)
The number of people with dementia is increasing rapidly worldwide. Developing strategies to improve quality of life for those with dementia is crucial and is receiving more attention. Natural environments are known for their healing effects on most people. This pilot study aimed to understand the benefits that natural environments, such as gardens, can provide for people with dementia. In total, 42 staff members in nine dementia care facilities were recruited as participants in this study and answered a semistructured questionnaire. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the effects of garden visits on evaluated characteristics and the differences in evaluated characteristics between free garden use and unfree garden use groups. Data from open-ended questions underwent text analysis to obtain the principal beliefs of the participants. The staff members reported that garden visits had positive effects on mood, social interaction, depression, and agitation in people with dementia because of the multisensory, gentle stimuli of the natural environment. Of the evaluated cognitive characteristics, attention and orientation to time were improved the most after residents with dementia had spent time in a garden. Additionally, staff members in the free garden use group scored the effects of garden visits on the mood, long-term memory, language abilities, spatial ability, aggression, and agitation of patients with dementia as significantly higher than staff members in the unfree garden use group. Recommendations for future studies are discussed.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, environment, ecotherapy, quality of life;
A toolkit providing information and advice for Deaf people living with dementia and those who support them, including family members and care staff. The toolkit covers: the onset (pre-diagnosis) of dementia; a diagnosis of dementia and what you can do; living well with dementia and making plans for the future. It and includes the personal experiences of families living with dementia and provides
(Edited publisher abstract)
A toolkit providing information and advice for Deaf people living with dementia and those who support them, including family members and care staff. The toolkit covers: the onset (pre-diagnosis) of dementia; a diagnosis of dementia and what you can do; living well with dementia and making plans for the future. It and includes the personal experiences of families living with dementia and provides links to additional information. The toolkit has been developed with involvement from a Stakeholder Group, which included 9 Deaf people who use British Sign Language. It is written in plain English and includes links to videos in British Sign Language.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This viewpoint discusses when extra care housing is an appropriate choice for someone with dementia and what factors might trigger someone living with dementia in extra care housing to move out. It looks at whether there a best time to move into extra care housing; how extra care housing can best meet the needs of people living with dementia; when extra care housing might no longer be suitable...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This viewpoint discusses when extra care housing is an appropriate choice for someone with dementia and what factors might trigger someone living with dementia in extra care housing to move out. It looks at whether there a best time to move into extra care housing; how extra care housing can best meet the needs of people living with dementia; when extra care housing might no longer be suitable for individuals living with dementia; and that actions that can be taken to keep residents at the heart of the extra care housing service. It is the first of three viewpoints developed from a doctoral research study on the possibilities and practicalities of people with dementia living in extra care housing. The research was informed by a survey of extra care housing provision and involved two extra care schemes as detailed case studies.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This toolkit aims to help designers to understand how to design for advanced dementia by using a Compassionate Design approach. The approach focuses on three vital components that are key when designing for people living with dementia or cognitive impairment: design that stimulates the senses, that is highly personalised and that helps to foster connections between people. Drawing on the LAUGH...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This toolkit aims to help designers to understand how to design for advanced dementia by using a Compassionate Design approach. The approach focuses on three vital components that are key when designing for people living with dementia or cognitive impairment: design that stimulates the senses, that is highly personalised and that helps to foster connections between people. Drawing on the LAUGH research project which is investigating playful objects for people living with advanced dementia, the toolkit provides examples of design solutions across six areas which were identified as important when designing for people with advanced dementia. These are: Nurturing, Security, Attention, Purposeful, Replay, and Movement. For each theme the toolkit presents a LAUGH design story and explains how the design has been guided by the three key themes of Compassionate Design.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, quality of life, leisure activities, play;
E-book providing practical information for anyone caring for a person with dementia. The guide aims to support an understanding of the progressive nature of dementia and the challenges a person caring for someone with dementia may experience. It shares information to help support someone living with dementia and answers questions from carers and care providers about services that will be required...
(Edited publisher abstract)
E-book providing practical information for anyone caring for a person with dementia. The guide aims to support an understanding of the progressive nature of dementia and the challenges a person caring for someone with dementia may experience. It shares information to help support someone living with dementia and answers questions from carers and care providers about services that will be required to support them and the person they are caring for. The guide focuses on living well with dementia and has been developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, educators and carer. The e-book is freely available for e-readers from iBooks, the Kindle Store and Smashwords or alternatively as an app through the Apple App Store.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, carers, care providers, quality of life;
Objectives: Dyadic coping theory purports the benefit of joint coping strategies within a couple, or dyad, when one dyad member is faced with illness or stress. This study examines the effect of religiosity on well-being for individuals with dementia (IWDs). In particular, the effect of both dyad members' religiosity on perceptions of IWDs' quality of life (QoL).
Method: One hundred eleven...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: Dyadic coping theory purports the benefit of joint coping strategies within a couple, or dyad, when one dyad member is faced with illness or stress. This study examines the effect of religiosity on well-being for individuals with dementia (IWDs). In particular, the effect of both dyad members' religiosity on perceptions of IWDs' quality of life (QoL).
Method: One hundred eleven individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia and their family caregivers were interviewed to evaluate IWDs' everyday-care values and preferences, including religious preferences. Using an actor-partner multi-level model to account for the interdependent relationship of dyads, the study examined how IWD and caregiver ratings of religiosity (attendance, prayer, and subjective ratings of religiosity) influence perceptions of IWDs' QoL.
Results: After accounting for care-related stress, one's own religiosity is not significantly related to IWDs' or caregivers' perceptions of IWD QoL. However, when modelling both actor and partner effects of religiosity on perceptions of IWDs' QoL, caregivers' religiosity is positively related to IWDs' self-reports of QoL, and IWDs' religiosity is negatively associated with caregivers' perceptions of IWDs' QoL.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that religiosity of both the caregiver and the IWD affect perception of the IWD's QoL. It is important that caregivers understand IWDs' values concerning religion as it may serve as a coping mechanism for dealing with dementia.
(Edited publisher abstract)