Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Psychological Impact Of Nexus Program On Persons Living With Mild Dementia, Kaleigh Gailynn Quinlan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Dementia is a global health concern due to the rapidly growing aging population (WHO, 2023). A wealth of evidence exists to support the notion that lifestyle interventions not only slow cognitive decline but improve cognition (Ngandu et al., 2015; Rosenberg et al.., 2018; Meng et al., 2022). However, there is a distinct lack of qualitative evidence examining the experience of being in a lifestyle redesign program. Lifestyle interventions require a large overhaul of an individual’s habits and performance patterns, and as such, there must be a subjective experience attached. Methodology: Through convenience sampling of the residents participating in the …

The Impact Of Sensory Modulation Through Multi-Sensory Stimulation Within Dementia Day Centers, Kristin Hood

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a growing global health concern, with prevalence expected to double every 20 years as the population ages, and approximately 6.7 million individuals in the United States currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (Cheng, 2017; Akincigil, 2024). Individuals with dementia commonly experience behavioral and psychological symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, pacing, withdrawal, and decreased engagement in meaningful activities, creating challenges for care staff and caregivers.

The purpose of this capstone project was to design and implement a multi-sensory stimulation room (MSSR) within a day program serving community-dwelling adults with dementia. The project aimed to provide a client-centered, …

Interventions For Geriatric Patients With Dementia In Inpatient Psychiatric Settings, Kenya Raybon

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Geriatric patients with dementia in inpatient psychiatric units are admitted with cognitive and behavioral challenges that often lead to increased agitation and greater reliance on 1:1 support, limiting participation in group therapy. While evidence supports structured, activity-based and sensory-informed interventions to promote regulation and engagement, implementation is often inconsistent due to workflow barriers, staffing limitations, and lack of structured guidance for staff, especially if cognitive impairment is not immediately recognizable.

This quality improvement capstone project aimed to develop and implement an evidence-informed staff training program, along with a structured activity binder system with adaptable, unit-specific interventions to support consistent activity-based …

Service Dogs As An Intervention To Improve Sleep: A Systematic Review, Yvonne Monti, Sara Kuiken, Anna Owens, Rachel Madden, Skyler Roote

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Purpose: The use of service dogs as a holistic intervention has grown significantly in the past 10 years. Studies report positive impacts of service dogs on primary and secondary symptoms associated with various disabilities. Dysfunctional sleep is a common symptom among individuals receiving service dog assistance. This study investigates the efficacy of service dogs in improving co-occurring sleep dysfunction in handlers with various conditions.

Methods: A comprehensive search of Science Direct, ProQuest Psychology Journals, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and 11 studies met inclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted by …

Plans4care, A Web Application Providing Caregivers Personalized Solutions To Manage Dementia-Related Care Challenges: Proof Of Concept And Efficacy Trial, Laura N. Gitlin, Eric Jutkowitz, Catherine V. Piersol, Sokha Koeuth, Taylor Sivori, Melinda J. Webster, Rachel N. Barnett, David L. Roth

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Few dementia caregivers have access to evidence-based support programs. Web applications (app) may address this gap. Plans4Care, a web app, provides caregivers with on-demand personalized solutions to address care challenges. We present results of a proof-of-concept study and describe a trial protocol to test efficacy.

METHODS: To use Plans4Care, caregivers respond to brief onboarding questions, assess dementia patients' cognitive function, identify care challenges, and generate "action plans" (personalized strategies). Telehealth sessions with dementia-trained care advisors are available. A proof-of-concept study evaluated a clickable prototype using standardized technology scales to determine if >75 % scored positively on four criteria (acceptability, …

Preparing For Change: Supporting Dementia Transitions Through Occupational Therapy And Caregiver Education, Kelly Ann Mooney

OTD Capstones

This capstone project focused primarily on supporting caregivers of individuals living with dementia within a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Caregivers of spouses with dementia often experience increased burden, stress, and difficulty navigating the transition from independent living to higher levels of care. Guided by principles of occupational therapy, this project aimed to enhance caregiver knowledge, confidence, and overall well-being through the development and implementation of targeted educational resources and support strategies. 

Interventions included the creation of evidence-based educational handouts addressing common challenges for caregivers such as activities of daily living (ADLs), sleep, mealtime, and behavioral changes. Additionally, a structured …

Caregiver Training Program For Optimal Recovery Of Neuro Accidents: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Bennie L. Huitt Jr., Jennifer Featheringham, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Caregivers of individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or experiencing onset of dementia often are provided limited education and support after discharge, negatively impacting confidence and recovery outcomes. The Caremaster program was designed to bridge the educational gap between occupational therapists in the clinical setting and caregivers in the home settings through accessible online modules, support groups, and in-person demonstrations. Module topics included understanding neuro accidents and role of the caregiver, returning home (transition and adaptation), ADLs and Mobility, returning to roles, and social reintegration. This program aims to guide future development of scalable, community-based caregiver education that …

The Benefits Of Music In Occupational Therapy For Individuals With Dementia, Keanu Butler, Rebecca King, Keegan Mckay

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, leading to progressive declines in memory, behavior, and daily functioning. Music interventions, whether live or recorded, have been shown to improve mood, reduce agitation, and enhance quality of life for individuals with dementia by fostering emotional connection and relaxation. The Model of Human Occupation supports these interventions by addressing volition, routines, and performance skills, helping therapists create meaningful, structured strategies to improve daily living and engagement.

Supporting Participation In Daily Occupations, Quality Of Life, And Well-Being For Individuals With Dementia In Nursing Homes, Julianne M. Sta.Ana

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This capstone project aimed to enhance the quality of life, well-being, and occupational participation of individuals with dementia residing in nursing homes through the implementation of an eight-week occupational therapy-based program. By addressing unmet needs through personalized, meaningful activities such as cognitive stimulation, physical activities, and social engagement, this project seeks to reduce cognitive decline and improve emotional well-being. The SLUMS and GDS were used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Ultimately, this project sought to understand occupational therapy’s role in supporting dementia care in nursing homes.

The Experience Of People Living With Dementia (Pwd) In Participating In Virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (Vcst)—A Qualitative Systematic Review, Hau Ying Chan, Heather Bullen

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This systematic review aims to explore the experiences of people living with dementia (PwD) participating in virtual cognitive stimulation therapy (vCST). With the global shift of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) online during the COVID-19 pandemic, little research has explored how PwD experience telehealth interventions. This is the first qualitative systematic review on the experience of PwD participating in vCST.

Methods: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative systematic reviews, a comprehensive search was conducted across six databases and the grey literature from January 1, 2013, to August 31, 2023.

Conclusion: Two synthesized findings were identified from two …

Reminiscence-Based Occupational Therapy: A Concept Analysis, Paige E. Laurent, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia impacts cognitive function, emotional well-being, and occupational engagement, leading to diminished quality of life for older adults. Reminiscence therapy (RT) has been established as a viable approach to enhancing mood, cognitive performance, and social participation among individuals with dementia, however, its integration within occupational therapy (OT) practice remains under defined. The lack of the clear, defined role of OT in RBOT poses challenges for OT practitioners aiming to integrate reminiscence intervention within their scope of practice. The lack of a clearly defined role of OT in RBOT poses challenges for OT practitioners aiming to incorporate reminiscence interventions within their …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Care Of Informal Caregivers Of People With Dementia: A Concept Analysis, Ashley M. Taylor

Student Capstone Papers

Informal caregivers (care partners) are people, such as family members, who provide care to those who cannot care for themselves, including people with dementia (PwD). Care partners assist PwD in their daily occupations, often without training. Caring for PwD can lead to emotional, physical, financial, and occupational challenges for care partners. Occupational therapy (OT) has a role to play in the care of PwD. However, if clinicians do not operate from a dyadic model, care partners’ needs may be overlooked. Problem: Although addressing the care partner dyad is important to the delivery of OT, the role of OT in the …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Care Of Informal Caregivers Of People With Dementia: A Concept Analysis, Ashley M. Taylor, Steven M. Gerardi, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Informal caregivers (care partners) are people, such as family members, who provide care to those who cannot care for themselves, including people with dementia (PwD). Care partners assist PwD in their daily occupations, often without training. Caring for PwD can lead to emotional, physical, financial, and occupational challenges for care partners. Occupational therapy (OT) has a role to play in the care of PwD. However, if clinicians do not operate from a dyadic model, care partners’ needs may be overlooked. Problem: Although addressing the care partner dyad is important to the delivery of OT, the role of OT in the …

Training To Move An Evidence-Based Dementia Caregiver Support Program Into Practice: A Pragmatic, Randomized, Non-Inferiority Trial Protocol, Nancy A. Hodgson, Miranda V. Mcphillips, Karen B. Hirschman, Emily Summerhayes, Catherine Verrier Piersol, Laura N. Gitlin

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Background

Objective

Creating Caregiver Education Resources Forcaregivers Of Adults With Alzheimer’S And Dementia, Mary C. Upton

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

This project addressed the significant issue of caregiver burden experienced by individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop simplified and easy-to-understand educational resources for these caregivers, focusing on strategies for managing loved ones, community resources, and physical and emotional wellness. The project aimed to enhance the caregiving experience and reduce caregiver burden by increasing their knowledge of physical and cognitive changes, available resources, and self-care strategies.

The project involved caregivers and staff at a dementia-specific medical-model day memory care program. The primary deliverable was a four-part “Caring …

Occupational Therapy In Caregiver Education And Dementia Care, Sophie Winter

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

The doctoral capstone project addresses education on optimal care for individuals with dementia to increase occupational performance and limit excess disability through training sessions with caregivers. The community program created took place at a community memory care adult day program. The bulk of the project focuses on education for caregivers of those with dementia through creating educational handouts, practicing through trainings, and creating personally tailored activities for cognition maintenance and participation. Caregiver manuals were made to address caregiver burnout, education, and competency. The other major part of this capstone was program development assessing the needs of the population and creating …

Improving Dementia Care Practices In The Swing Bed Program, Grace Donahue

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my capstone/ALE, I partnered with the therapy team at CHI St. Joseph Berea’s Swing Bed Program to improve communication and care strategies for patients with dementia or cognitive impairments. My project focused on ACOTE areas of program development, education, and advocacy in an acute care setting. The goal was to implement dementia-friendly communication practices and promote meaningful engagement through activity toolboxes.The Swing Bed Program supports patients recovering from acute hospital stays who are not yet ready to return home. During my time there, I observed a lack of structured, personalized activities for patients, despite regulatory expectations for enrichment. My …

Is Functional Training Functional? A Systematic Review Of Its Effects In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Chiung-Ju Liu, Wen-Pin Chang, Yun Chan Shin, Yi-Ling Hu, Jane Morgan-Daniel

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Age-related decline in physical and cognitive capacity increases older adults' risk of disability, long-term care placement, and mortality rate. Functional training, which uses activities of daily living or simulated movements to complete activities as the intervention medium, could be more effective than rote exercise, which uses repetitive movements without added purpose, in preventing late-life disability in older people. With a growing number of studies in this area, systematically studying the effect of functional training is needed. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effects of functional training on the outcomes of activities of daily living, physical …

Tailored Activity Program For Ltc Residents With Dementia, Madison Olds, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Nursing home residents with dementia diagnoses should have the opportunity to participate fully in community activities and receive the proper assistance and accommodations to do so. This project developed a tailored activity program to promote socialization, occupational justice, and quality of life for residents in an assistive living facility with various diagnoses. This program provides both environmental and activity adaptations to support full engagement for all participants regardless of any preexisting deficits.

Increasing Leisure Activity Participation And The Quality Of Life Of People With Dementia And Their Caregivers, Karla Vela, Rebecca King, Keegan Mckay

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The problems associated with the progression of dementia, such as increased stress, and a decrease in engagement in leisure activities and social participation have a negative impact on the patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. In addition, there is limited research on the long-term impact of occupational therapy leisure activity programs on patients with dementia and their caregivers’ quality of life. A leisure activity program was created for people with dementia and their caregivers to improve their leisure activity engagement and quality of life. Overall, the participant’s and caregivers benefitted from this program and had positive opinions based on the …

Enhancing Dignity Amongst Persons With Dementia Through Occupational Engagement, Habeeba Ahmed, Amy Lyons-Brown Ms, Otd, Otr/L

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a cognitive impairment that impacts an individual's memory, judgement, safety awareness, and emotions which can interfere with their activities of daily living. As the condition progresses, the person living with dementia (PLWD) may require a care partner to help them complete their daily tasks. Having a care partner and being a care partner can be challenging for both, the PLWD and their care partner, as there begins to be a shift in their independence. The PLWD must rely on their care partner to help them throughout their day, leading to a decrease in independence and occupational engagement. When …

Training Staff Members And Caregivers On Utilizing Allen Cognitive Levels To Aid Individuals Living With Alzheimer's And Dementia To Maintain Activities Of Daily Living, Kristy Boyd

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone is about training caregivers and staff members on utilizing the Allen Cognitive Levels to help individuals living with Alzheimer's and Dementia to maintain their ADLs.

Training Staff Members And Caregivers On Utilizing Allen Cognitive Levels To Aid Individuals Living With Alzheimer's And Dementia To Maintain Activities Of Daily Living, Kristy Boyd, Cassandra Nelson, Jennifer Summers

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project is about training staff members and caregivers on utilizing the Allen's cognitive levels to aid individuals living with Alzheimer's and dementia to maintain their activities of daily living by creating a program that consists of modules, physical demonstration, and a deliverable for staff members and caregivers as well as therapeutic activities and sensory regulation activities for the participants.

Life Review And Reminiscence In Occupational Therapy Practice: An Educational Video Series, Andrea Garza, Steven M. Gerardi Phd, Otd, Mss, Otr

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts millions of people, leading to cognitive decline and functional impairment. Life review therapy and reminiscence therapy are effective treatment approaches that have been used with people with dementia to stimulate cognitive processes and provide emotional support by reflecting on past experiences. Although therapeutic occupations based on reminiscence and life review have been used in occupational therapy (OT) practice, there is limited literature on the topic to guide clinical practice. Problem: There is a lack of guidance on the integration of occupation-based life review and reminiscence into OT practice for people with dementia. …

Interventions To Improve Or Maintain Activity Of Daily Living Performance In Adults With Dementia: A Systematized Review, Abbey J. Seevers, Tristen F. Toelle, Tate M. Pfeifer, Jake D. Cera, Danielle Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Importance: Dementia is a progressive cognitive disorder that leads to the degradation of one’s abilities until they are dependent for all activities of daily living (ADLs) (Andersen et al., 2004). There’s an increasing importance to search for effective ways to preserve independence in ADLs and quality of life for adults with dementia (Weng et al., 2019).

Objective: To identify effective occupational therapy (OT) interventions for maintaining or improving ADL performance among adults with dementia.

Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO. This search was conducted by a medical librarian.

Design: Inclusion criteria encompassed interventions within the scope of OT, at least one …

Melodic Memories: A Guidebook To Enhance Dementia Care Through Music, Sofia Phillips, Mary Smith, Angela Blackwell

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project focused on developing a guidebook titled Melodic Memories, designed to help occupational therapy (OT) practitioners incorporate occupation-based musical interventions into their practice. The guidebook aims to enhance occupational engagement (OE) and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with dementia residing in long-term care facilities. The presentation explores the impact of dementia on individuals, including how it affects their OE and QoL, and highlights the challenges posed by long-term care environments. It also emphasizes the therapeutic potential of music in improving dementia care for OT practitioners. The development of Melodic Memories was based on the Lived Environment Life …

Low Vision And Dementia, Anna Bradner

OT Student Capstones

Low vision and dementia are highly common among older adults. Individuals with these conditions often experience decreased ability to perform daily tasks safely and independently due to the functional implications of visual and cognitive decline. This leads not only to decreased participation in meaningful activities but also to an increased dependence on a caregiver. Over time, these caregivers can experience a perceived strain, or caregiver burden, that affects not only their own health but also the health of the individual they are caring for. Occupational therapists can provide skilled services to address the needs of older adults with low vision …

Promoting Engagement Of Male Individuals With Alzheimer’S In A Memory Day Care, Tara Brophy

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Alzheimer’s and related dementias impact an individual's cognitive, psychological, social, and physical functions resulting in impairments within the engagement of activities. Activities offer many therapeutic benefits including improvements in mood, alertness, communication, socialization, sleep, cognitive function, and quality of life. The focus of this quality improvement capstone project was to address the decreased level of engagement in male members within a memory day care center setting through engaging them in male-tailored activities. The project included the development of a website that provided tailored male-oriented activities and educational resources that were shared with the staff to revise their day care activity …

Promoting Positive Dementia Attitudes Through Occupational Engagement: The Development Of A Dementia Awareness Program For Community Older Adults, Cynthia Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: This capstone project explored the effects of adding occupational engagement into a dementia awareness program on attitudes toward dementia among community-dwelling older adults, aiming to challenge dementia myths and promote an inclusive environment through occupational therapy perspectives. Methods: This project used a pre-test, post-test design with convenience sampling to develop and assess a dementia awareness program based on insights from Silverado Red Rock Memory Care Community and participation from members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the program. Changes in positive attitudes toward dementia were measured using the Dementia Attitudes …

Improving Occupational Therapy Student Utilization Through A Community Engagement Program For Individuals With Dementia, Andrew Stevenson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The contents of this doctoral project include an introduction to some of the difficulties people with dementia face in regard to engaging in the community, and how that may impact their health. It goes on to support how occupational therapists (OTs) have the skills to provide treatment addressing this issue but have faced difficulty entering settings such as memory care. A literature review demonstrates some of the positive benefits that can result from providing people with dementia opportunities for community engagement and reveals some of the difficulties associated with providing quality dementia care. This helps to explain the purpose of …