Real-world occupational therapy interventions for early-stage dementia: Characteristics and contextual barriers

Abstract

Aim There is an absence of evidence generated in a UK context to support interventions based on occupational therapists’ core skills for people living with early-stage dementia. To inform the development of a programme theory and a future evaluation, this paper aimed to describe real-world (routine) community-based occupational therapy interventions for this population and contextual barriers. Method Occupational therapy practitioners ( n = 21) from five Health Boards in Wales, UK participated in semi-structured interviews ( n = 17) which were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Findings The availability of, and access to, real-world community-based interventions was variable, and associated with multilevel contextual barriers (resources, understanding of dementia specialist occupational therapy, professional influence, and evidence base). Where available and accessible, contents comprised a pre-intervention component (relational work, assessment, and goal setting) and intervention component (personalised problem-solving and coping strategies, emotional support, and advice and signposting), to meet needs associated with everyday activities and poor wellbeing. Variation in mode, duration, contents, and who received interventions, was associated with contextual barriers. Conclusion Findings indicate that the development of an intervention programme theory and future evaluation design, will need to account for the impact context may have on the variability of real-world intervention characteristics, and how this in turn may influence outcomes.