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Wellbeing-enhancing occupation and organizational and environmental contributors in long-term dementia care facilities: an explorative study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 September 2013

Dieneke Smit ,
Bernadette Willemse ,
Jacomine de Lange  and
Anne Margriet Pot
Dieneke Smit*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Bernadette Willemse
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands Program on Aging, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, the Netherlands
Jacomine de Lange
Affiliation:
Program on Aging, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, the Netherlands
Anne Margriet Pot
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands Program on Aging, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, the Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dieneke Smit, Trimbos-instituut, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, the Netherlands. Phone: +31 (0)61-4123943. Email: smitdieneke@gmail.com.
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Abstract

Background:

Occupation remains an unmet need in long-term dementia care. To increase residents’ occupation, knowledge of types of occupation related to wellbeing, and organizational and environmental characteristics encouraging involvement in these types of occupation, is indispensable.

Methods:

In this explorative study, Dementia Care Mapping was used to study involvement in different types of occupation and wellbeing among 57 residents of 10 dementia care facilities. For each type of occupation, mean experienced wellbeing was studied. Occupation types with high mean wellbeing scores were classified as “wellbeing-enhancing occupation.” Care facilities were ranked according to the mean time residents spent in types of wellbeing-enhancing occupation. Using information on staff-to-resident ratio, individual space, and items of the Physical Environment Evaluation Component of Dementia Care Mapping, organizational and environmental characteristics of the facilities were compared to study their relationship with wellbeing-enhancing occupation.

Results:

Reminiscence, leisure, expression, and vocational occupation had greatest potential to enhance wellbeing, but these types were seldom offered. Much variation existed in the extent to which wellbeing-enhancing occupation was provided. Long-term care facilities that did so more frequently generally had a more homelike atmosphere, supported social interaction through the environment, and had no central activity program.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that it is possible to engage residents in wellbeing-enhancing occupation, within current means of budget and staff. The physical environment and care organization might play a role, but the key factor seems to equip staff with skills to integrate wellbeing-enhancing occupation into care practice.

Keywords

Alzheimer'sactivitiesquality of lifenursing home
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 69 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2013 

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