CONNECTIONS: ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT FOR PERSONS DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA

Ellen Phipps, CTRS, MSG Alzheimer’s Association, CWVA; VCU Governor’s Conference on Aging 2016

CONNECTIONS IS:

A one-on-one, personalized activity intervention designed to create an “activity station” to help persons with dementia self-initiate engagement in a meaningful activity.

CONNECTIONS IS EVIDENCED BASED

● Initial seed funding through a grant from UVA

● Funding from ARDRAF research award: 32 of 34 (94%) persons with dementia engaged in activity when structured by the investigators, student visitors, and/or caregivers. Caregivers reported increased confidence in structuring activities in the home. Published in the Journal of Therapeutic Recreation.

● AoA Grant for home-visitation program to rural areas

● Best practice award – National Caregivers Alliance

BENEFITS

● Prevent frustration ● Prevent boredom and challenging behaviors ● Provide mental stimulation ● Improve physical activity and general health ● Promote social interaction which will reduce

feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression ● Improve sleep habits ● Improve self esteem ● Provide enjoyment!!!

THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES of MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY

○ Reduces falls and injuries related to falls ○ Reduces disturbing behaviors exhibited by

individuals with dementia which leads to decreased use of psychotropic medications and chemical restraints

○ Decreases the symptoms of Depression and Anxiety ○ Decreases apathy/Increases engagement ○ Improves subjective well-being and quality of life

PRACTICE FIELDS: RECREATION THERAPY

● Recreation therapy – a process that utilizes activity-based interventions based on the assessed needs of individuals with illness and/or disabling conditions. The purpose of the process is to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual functioning in order to facilitate full participation in life

● Montessori - This unique approach builds on current strengths and abilities as well as environmental modification. Montessori-Based Dementia Programming uses rehabilitation principles including guided repetition, task breakdown, and progressing from simple to complex.

● Cognitive Intervention - In dementia care, cognitive intervention approaches often capitalize on the individual’s cognitive strengths, and care providers may be trained to provide verbal cues as well as set up environmental modification to assist persons with cognitive losses

Person-Centered Care

●Care is driven by the care recipient and supported by the care professional.

●Recognizes the individuality of each person

●Honors respect and dignity

CORE PRINICPLES OF CONNECTIONS

●Trusting relationship ●Reflects individual preferences ●One-on-One or Self Initiation ● Strength-based ●Control the environment ● It’s about the PROCESS….

GETTING STARTED: STEP ONE: BUILDING TRUST

TOOL: Conversation Starters ○ Where were you born? ○ Family / Spouse ○ School days ○ Childhood ○ Occupation ○ Volunteer Work ○ Social / Cultural

STEP TWO: LEISURE INTERESTS

TOOL: Leisure Interest Survey Domains !Creative / Expressive !Intellectual !Physical !Productive / Work !Social / Leisure/ Entertainment !Spiritual / Insightful

STEP THREE: CURRENT LEVEL OF FUNCTION

● TOOL: Cognitive Check List ● Medical Status ● Mobility ● Vision

FOCUS ON STRENGTHS

CONNECTIONS: FOCUS ON STRENGTHS

SYMPTOMS AND STRENGTHS CHART EARLY STAGE

SYMPTOMS AND STRENGTHS CHART MIDDLE STAGE

SYMPTOMS AND STRENGTHS CHART LATE STAGE

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION

✓Personal information about past occupation, personality and interests

✓Leisure interests; hobbies ✓Current level of function with focus on strengths ✓Other important information about functional ability

– vision, hearing, mobility, etc.

IS SHE A MUSICIAN?

DAILY CHORES

IS SHE A SPORTS FAN?

VIEWING ART

WHAT WAS HIS PROFESSION?

MIDDLE

EXAMPLES THROUGH THE STAGES

MUSIC

POLISHING SILVER

SHINING SHOES

25

DAILY CHORES

MAKING ART:CREATIVE EXPRESSION

DID HE ENJOY FISHING?

REMINISCE28

VIEWING ART

ADAPTED GAMES

ADAPTED GAMES

LATER STAGE

EXAMPLES THROUGH THE STAGES

MUSIC

DAILY CHORES

Care for the animals

Wipe off the bathroom counter with spray and cloth

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

THROUGH THE SENSES

Sensory Aprons

GOING FOR A WALK

DOLL THERAPY

QUESTIONS

ACTIVITY RESOURCES● A Different Visit (Joltin, Adena; Camp, Cameron; Noble, Beverely;

Antenucci, Vincent; Menorah Park Center for Senior Living) ● Activity Programming for Persons with Dementia

(Alzheimer’s Association) ● Best Friend’s Book of Alzheimer’s Activities (Bell, Virginia;

Troxel, David; Cox, Tonya; Hamon, Robin; Health Professions Press) ● Doing things (Zgola, Jitka; Johns Hopkins University Press) ● Positive interactions (Nissenboim, Sylvia; Vroman, Christine;

Health Professions Press) ● Reminiscence magazine ● 101 things to do…

CONTACT

Ellen Phipps, CTRS, MSG, Gerontologoist Vice President Programs & Services

Alzheimer's Association Central & Western Virginia

1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 306 Charlottesville, VA 22901

Phone: 434-973-6122 , ext. 103 Fax: 434-973-4224

ellen.phipps@alz.org www.alz.org/cwva