Family Strategies for Supporting Involvement in Meaningful Activity by Persons With Dementia

Abstract

Involvement in meaningful activity may be helpful for those with dementia, although it is a poorly understood phenomenon among those living in the community with family members. An interpretive phenomenological study was conducted with eight families to determine how family members support involvement in activity of persons with dementia and what it means to families. Repeated individual interviews were conducted with the person with dementia and a family member; they were asked to tell stories about their usual activities, to consider the impact of the dementia on everyday life and what they did to cope with difficulties. They were also observed taking part in everyday activities. Analysis revealed three strategies used by families to support activity: (a) reducing demands, (b) guiding, and (c) accompanying. These strategies allowed families to sustain meaning for both the person with dementia and the family itself. Significance for practice and ideas for future research are discussed.