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Life-enhancing dance for elders with dementia
- Author:
- WHYTE Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 18(2), March 2010, pp.37-39.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
It is important to promote the well-being of patients with dementia, as it is recognised that progression of the disease can make it hard for sufferers to create their own dimensions of well-being. In order to fulfil the responsibility to promote well-being, the author describes setting up a seated dance group for older women, and wrestles with the challenges of trying to evaluate its benefits. This article, after reviewing the evidence for using dance, considers: maintaining a sense of self through moving our bodies; the dance sessions; the evaluation challenge; and experience in the moment. In conclusion, the author “felt certain that for the 30 minutes out patients were engaged in the seated dance activity, their well-being was enhanced through a positive impact on their feelings of personal worth, agency, social confidence and hope.”
Examination of a theoretical model of psychological resilience in older age
- Authors:
- WIINDLE Gill, MARKLAND David A., WOODS Robert T.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(3), May 2008, pp.285-292.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article integrates a number of theoretical perspectives and examines the concept of psychological resilience in older age. Drawing on the literature it is hypothesised that an overarching construct-resilience-accounts for the functioning of a number of psychological resources (self-esteem, personal competence and control). The factorial validity of the resources as indicators of resilience is tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The analyses focus on previously unexplored survey data drawn from a representative sample of people aged between 50 and 90 in England, Wales and Scotland (N = 1847). The results find a common factor (a higher-order model) provides the best explanation of the relationships between the resources, demonstrating an important first account for developing further work on this concept. Exploring what might form the basis of resilience from a psychological perspective enables a deeper understanding of why some individuals can remain positive in difficult circumstances, particularly some of the challenges of ageing.
Best practice in learning disability and dementia
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON FAMILIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
- Publisher:
- Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
Dementia is a particular concern for service providers supporting older people with learning disabilities. Until recently little forward planning had been built into services to prepare for residents to grow older, and cope with medical conditions of older age such as arthritis, osteoporosis or dementia. For people with Down’s syndrome, there is a high prevalence rate of dementia as medical advances mean they, as with the rest of the population, are living longer lives. Little is known about the views and experiences of people with a learning disability who have dementia or are living with someone with dementia in a residential setting (Wilkinson et al 2003, 2004; Lyngaard 2004). A three year research project funded by the Community Fund in collaboration with CARE1 has explored best practice for people with a learning disability who develop dementia - looking at what enables people to remain in their own homes and communities. A key element of this wider project was a service user advisory forum. One of the things this research wanted this group to tell us was what people with learning disabilities know about dementia and what it was like to live with someone who has dementia.
The benefits of befriending: a study using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS)
- Author:
- BEFRIENDING NETWORKS
- Publisher:
- Evaluation Support Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This study undertaken by Befriending Networks explores perceptions of change in mental well-being among older clients of befriending (and related) projects following receipt of befriending support, using WEMWBS as a measuring tool. The report presents the findings of a survey of 123 older clients of 37 befriending projects, showing that there was a highly positive perception of change in mental well-being and recognition of other benefits linked to receipt of befriending. Participants identified improvements, which were attributed to the receipt of befriending, in their social life and connectedness to others, 16 mental/psychological well-being, coping, confidence, independence, physical activity and trust in others. The findings also suggest that befriending may have a greater beneficial effect on women and the very old. However, as a result of methodological limitations, these findings needed to be treated cautiously and confirmed using a more robust study design. (Edited publisher abstract)
Using carer biographical narratives to explore factors involved in proxy reporting of quality of life in people with dementia
- Author:
- ROBERTSON Jane M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(4), 2017, pp.416-425.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Quality of life is an important focus of research on dementia, with interest in direct reports of people with dementia and proxy reports of their carers. By exploring the subjective perspectives of unpaid family carers and paid care workers, this study aims to understand how carers construct meaning in narratives about quality of life with dementia. Method: A case-centred approach involved biographical narrative interviews with 10 carers to explore what was important for people with dementia to have a good quality of life. Detailed narrative analysis attended to the linguistic and structural features of accounts to consider how dementia is conceptualised by carers in the framing of quality of life. Results: An individual's perception of how dementia impacts on awareness and behaviour was central to their understanding of quality of life. Carers who constructed dementia as a loss of skills and abilities were able to represent quality of life in positive terms despite the challenges of dementia. Carers who constructed dementia as eroding identity represented quality of life less positively and centred on their own means of coping with a challenging care situation. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of helping carers develop positive constructions of quality of life that are associated with understanding dementia as a loss of skills and abilities, rather than as a loss of self. Engaging with subjectivity in carers’ biographical narrative accounts is important in the development of quality of life assessment to understand the meanings and emotions that underlie proxy perspectives. (Publisher abstract)
Well Scotland
- Publisher:
- NHS Scotland
The website wellscotland.info provides information for professionals working in the field of mental health improvement. It was re-launched in May 2010 to bring it up to date with the current policy and action plan for mental health improvement in Scotland: Towards a mentally flourishing Scotland (TAMFS). The site provides a wide range of guidance documents, policy updates and a range of useful resources. Members of the public may be interested in the Your mental health section.
Explaining about...mental health and well-being
- Authors:
- BORROWMAN Fiona, DEMPSTER Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 13(1), March 2009, pp.11-14.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article is about NHS Health Scotland's Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later life Programme, which aims to promote mentally healthy ageing in Scotland. A core aspect of the programme is involving older people in the design, delivery and evaluation of health improvement projects. The article presents three case studies: the use of peer researchers to facilitate focus groups in Glasgow; focused action research in Lothian care homes; and the production of Facing Dementia, a booklet based on real experiences and featuring quotes from people with dementia. The article concludes by outlining future plans, including developing an action plan focused on longer-term priorities for promoting mental well-being.