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The aim of this paper is to raise awareness and provide a frame of analysis to prevent environmental triggers of maladaptive behaviours of people living with dementia (PwD), for which transition to an institutional setting can cause great distress. Institutional settings are one of the main causes of maladaptive beaviours of PwD. We provide a narrative description of an environmental analogue, using thick description methodology of a design fiction situation – a long-haul flight – to illustrate similar behavioural processes taking place in a setting for all comers to understand psycho-environmental mechanisms that lead PwD to distress. Phenomenology of homeostatic value of space is discussed. We identify four main factors to apprehend homeostatic value of space: (1) Survival properties of the environment; (2) Person-Environment fit; (3) Environmental control and (4) Sensoristasis. This paper discusses environmental mechanisms of dwelling facilities for PwD that can positively influence their psychological and behavioural well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive choirs promote social inclusion by providing the opportunity for persons living with dementia, caregivers and volunteers to sing together as equals. The aim of this qualitative study is to present the development of an inclusive choir in a day care center through rehearsal process and the feedback from the participants. Twelve persons living with dementia, four staff members and one volunteer participated in fourteen rehearsals led by a choirmaster, leading up to a concert with Christmas-themed songs. Persons living with dementia showed confidence, enjoyment, consistency and learning contributing to their empowerment and engagement throughout the study. Regarding volunteers, a shift from stigma associated with negative representations about dementia to social inclusion were observed. Care staff were point of reference for persons living with dementia and as the study progressed, they moved from the position of carers to singing partners. For all participants, a group cohesion and a sense of being connected developed. Such approaches contribute to raise awareness of dementia and reducing the stigma associated and to promote social inclusion of persons living with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional deficiency can have dramatic effects on the physical and psychological status of older adults. Although food supplements can enhance nutritional status, several authors suggest that more ecological means could also have beneficial impacts. Therefore, a natural experiment was conducted to study the impact of changed mealtime experiences for people with Alzheimer-type dementia. Two special care units (in separate facilities) in France were included in this study: one implemented shared mealtimes between residents and caregivers and the other served as a comparison group. Weight was measured and staff observations were collected. Positive outcomes were observed for the experimental group. Implications for practice are discussed. KEYWORDS Dementia, mealtime, nutrition, weight, care, best practice DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2010.489936

Social activities contribute to social engagement of people with dementia in nursing homes. An observational study was conducted to examine how a multicomponent psychosocial intervention could impact social interactions of people with dementia living in a nursing home. Thirty-six people with moderate to moderately severe dementia received a five-week multicomponent psychosocial intervention. The length of interactions was measured during eight minutes before and after each workshop. Codes, categories and themes of interaction were specified with a content analysis. The mean length of interaction significantly increased after the intervention by 67% between residents (p =.027) and by 151% with care staff (p =.023). Seventeen codes of interaction were observed. Four categories of interactions were identified: memories, feeling about others and self-expression, life in the nursing home, and factual interactions. These categories have been grouped into two themes: small talk (uninvolved conversations) and substantive talk (involved conversations). Substantive talk increased significantly after the intervention (p =.002). Our multicomponent psychosocial intervention seemed to have an impact on social interactions of people with dementia. They were able to speak about several topics and in a substantive way. This kind of intervention promotes social interactions and strengthens social health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conception and construction of nursing homes focuses mostly on architectural design. The cost of gardens and amount of work they require is usually underestimated. This often results in inaccessible, unfit and poorly designed outdoor spaces. This article describes a partnership between three French institutions established in response to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities. This partnership led to three different approaches (scientific, pedagogical and practical) with a common objective to provide dementia-friendly outdoor spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent review of Cochrane meta-analyses on psychosocial interventions (PIs) concludes that clinical trials fail to confirm PIs effective for all types of dementia at every stage of the disease. This article describes how and to what extent it is necessary to identify treatment indications when researching PIs and employing them in clinical practice. Twelve Cochrane reviews on PIs for people with dementia, selected because of their systematic methodology, were searched to identify outcomes related to treatment indications (dosage, type of dementia, severity...). The authors identified several research and practice issues that related to treatment indications: sample profiling, hypothesizing and statistical interpretation, external validity, effectiveness of interventions, contraindications and limits of interventions, and tailoring. Developing an effective PI requires empirical, developmental, exploratory, and confirmatory development stages to achieve credibility and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Les tablettes tactiles sont de plus en plus utilisées dans l'accompagnement des personnes atteintes de troubles cognitifs liés au vieillissement. Un grand nombre d'applications a été développé avec l'intention de les adapter directement aux personnes atteintes de troubles cognitifs liés au vieillissement sans toujours se poser la question des modalités d'usage des tablettes. Au regard de cette problématique, une synthèse de la littérature scientifique est proposée pour préciser la nature, les intentions d'utilisation, les modalités d'usage et les caractéristiques techniques de cet outil technologique. Les données issues de la littérature montrent que les tablettes sont utilisées pour les interventions psychosociales, l'aide à la vie quotidienne, le maintien d'une vie sociale et les activités de loisirs. L'utilisation autonome est possible et les utilisations en groupe favorisent les relations interpersonnelles. Le matériel utilisé doit tenir compte des capacités physiques, sensorielles, cognitives et des centres d'intérêt des utilisateurs. L'utilisation des tablettes doit favoriser l'inclusion sociale dans une approche non stigmatisante. Touchscreen tablets are increasingly used to support people with dementia. An inventory of the literature is proposed to specify the nature and intentions of use, the modalities of use and technical characteristics. Tablets are used for psychosocial interventions, life support, social living and leisure activities. Autonomously use is possible and group uses promote interpersonal relationships. The equipment must take into account the physical, sensory, cognitive and interests of people with dementia. Use of tablets should promote social inclusion in a non-stigmatizing approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Dance interventions are pleasant social activities that are often offered to people with dementia in care settings. Effectiveness of dance as a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia has been studied to some extent, but several methodological issues remain unexplored. This review aimed to analyze studies on dance interventions for people with dementia and to identify practice recommendations for the development of these interventions.Methods: An electronic database search was run in December 2017 to identify records of dance interventions for people with dementia. We included all studies regardless of experimental design. Selected records were analyzed according to five criteria: study design and intentions of interventions; profile of participants and in/exclusion criteria; treatment indications and contraindications; description and performance of the interventions; and involved physical, cognitive, psychological, and social processes in dance.Results: Fourteen records were included in which various study designs were observed. Description and performance of the interventions were well documented. Nine practice recommendations for implementing dance interventions were identified according to primary intentions of the intervention (therapeutic or recreational): indications; contra-indications; participant profile; dosage; session sequencing; setting of intervention; observance/attendance; contributors and facilitators;and assessments.Conclusions: Dance is a holistic intervention that can be implemented with a therapeutic or a leisure intention. Practice recommendations about dance interventions remain incomplete and insufficiently studied. Such recommendations could be helpful for clinicians to implement dance interventions in facilities where they work to better target people who could benefit from them, and for researchers to develop research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assistive technologies became pervasive and virtually present in all our life domains. They can be either an enabler or an obstacle leading to social exclusion. The Fondation Médéric Alzheimer gathered international experts of dementia care, with backgrounds in biomedical, human and social sciences, to analyze how assistive technologies can address the capabilities of people with dementia, on the basis of their needs. Discussion covered the unmet needs of people with dementia, the domains of daily life activities where assistive technologies can provide help to people with dementia, the enabling and empowering impact of technology to improve their safety and wellbeing, barriers and limits of use, technology assessment, ethical and legal issues. The capability approach (possible freedom) appears particularly relevant in person-centered dementia care and technology development. The focus is not on the solution, rather on what the person can do with it: seeing dementia as disability, with technology as an enabler to promote capabilities of the person, provides a useful framework for both research and practice. This article summarizes how these concepts took momentum in professional practice and public policies in the past 15 years (2000–2015), discusses current issues in the design, development and economic model of assistive technologies for people with dementia, and covers how these technologies are being used and assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Vieillissement is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders is a complex process, that of a chronic illness. Psychological and behavioral symptoms associated to dementia can appear in all neuro-degenerative diseases to varying degrees, and depend on numerous factors that need to be understood in order to take appropriate action. We propose a systemic approach to psychological and behavioral symptoms, with a view to preventing their onset or reducing their severity., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Touchscreen tablets are increasingly used to support people with dementia. An inventory of the literature is proposed to specify the nature and intentions of use, the modalities of use and technical characteristics. Tablets are used for psychosocial interventions, life support, social living and leisure activities. Autonomously use is possible and group uses promote interpersonal relationships. The equipment must take into account the physical, sensory, cognitive and interests of people with dementia. Use of tablets should promote social inclusion in a non-stigmatizing approach.

Assistive technologies became pervasive and virtually present in all our life domains. They can be either an enabler or an obstacle leading to social exclusion. The Fondation Médéric Alzheimer gathered international experts of dementia care, with backgrounds in biomedical, human and social sciences, to analyze how assistive technologies can address the capabilities of people with dementia, on the basis of their needs. Discussion covered the unmet needs of people with dementia, the domains of daily life activities where assistive technologies can provide help to people with dementia, the enabling and empowering impact of technology to improve their safety and wellbeing, barriers and limits of use, technology assessment, ethical and legal issues. The capability approach (possible freedom) appears particularly relevant in person-centered dementia care and technology development. The focus is not on the solution, rather on what the person can do with it: seeing dementia as disability, with technology as an enabler to promote capabilities of the person, provides a useful framework for both research and practice. This article summarizes how these concepts took momentum in professional practice and public policies in the past 15 years (2000-2015), discusses current issues in the design, development and economic model of assistive technologies for people with dementia, and covers how these technologies are being used and assessed.

People with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in nursing homes are also subject to sleep disorders. An in-depth study was therefore carried out to install a familiar setting that is based on the architectural environment and on specific support taking into account the size of healthcare teams.