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Evaluation Of A Sleep Knowledge Translation Strategy For Occupational Therapists Working With Persons Who Have Dementia, Laura Laberge, Blaire Sangster, Cary A. Brown

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: Sleep deficiency is a significant, largely overlooked issue for persons with dementia (PWD), and is associated with physical and mental health problems, increased caregiver burden, and increased likelihood of institutionalization. Despite the high prevalence of sleep deficiency in PWD, most health care professionals lack knowledge of the relationship between sleep problems and dementia. This project aimed to determine the feasibility of an archived online presentation, a knowledge translation (KT) strategy to increase therapists’ understanding of the impact of blue-spectrum light on sleep in PWD.

Method: Therapists who participated in a previous sleep and dementia survey were recruited via email. …

An Exploration Of Volition: Caregiver Perceptions Of Persons With Dementia, Christine Raber, Mikel Stone

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to understand what formal caregivers know about the volition of older adults with moderate dementia. A qualitative approach was used at one assisted living facility. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with formal caregivers to gain their perceptions of residents’ volition or motivation for occupation. Volition of resident participants was assessed using the Volitional Questionnaire (VQ). Caregiver interviews and resident VQ’s were analyzed using van Manen’s phenomenological approach to examine their congruence with regard to the volitional abilities of residents. Thematic analysis yielded two broad themes: (a) Caregivers possess varying layers of insight regarding the volitional …