Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Exploring Caregivers Of Individuals With Dementia’S Self-Efficacy: A Qualitative Study, Julia Seymour Otd, Kristin Domville Drot, Mot, Otr/L, Cody Cox Otd, Med, Otr/L, Plcc

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A qualitative research study was done by conducting in-person and virtual interviews with past and current caregivers of individuals with dementia. This study was done to get a better understanding of caregiver self-efficacy, and how Occupational Therapy can be a solution and an advocate for caregivers.

Factors Influencing Driving Confidence In Older Adults, Jill Linder, Beth Ann Walker, Elizabeth Moore, Anne Hegberg

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: It has been determined that both confidence and cognition impact driving performance and self-regulation. While it is known that cognitive decline impacts driving safety and that decreases in driving confidence can lead to self-driving regulation, further research is needed to determine whether cognition, demographics, and driving routines are associated with driving confidence.

Method: A non-experimental, cross-sectional design study using a convenience sample of 100 older adults was conducted to determine if individual factors are related to daytime and nighttime driving confidence.

Results: Multiple regression indicated that four variables predicted daytime driving confidence, including cognition, driving at …

Positive Communication Strategies And Approaches To Improve Quality Of Care For Those Living With Dementia, Tiffany M. Wright

MOT Student Capstones

The number of people living with dementia (PL WD) is growing exponentially each year. As the number increases, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) will be faced with the challenge of caring for more residents living with dementia. This project investigates the benefits of providing education to healthcare professionals in SNF who care for PL WD to improve the quality of care provided. Historically, pharmacological interventions have been overused in SNF. This project investigates the most effective evidence-based approaches to providing high-quality dementia care to manage behaviors and improve active participation in occupations. To address this topic, a literature review was conducted, …

Social And Leisure Participation By People With Dementia: A Caregiver Resource Guide, Rebecca Mcmillian, Beth Lambert, Mary Smith, Katherine Christie

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this caregiver education intervention is to increase caregiver self-efficacy and effectiveness in increasing social participation and quality of life for those they are caring for as well as decreasing caregiver stress and burnout associated with providing care for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The guide will include education and resources for these caregivers detailing safety precautions, strategies to reduce difficult behaviors impacting social and leisure engagement, and resources to decrease caregiver burden.

Occupational Therapy For People With Dementia Who Have Occupational Performance Challenges Due To Depression, Ally Frazier, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Individuals with dementia experience a multitude of barriers and challenges that impact their daily engagement throughout the environment. In addition, although the pandemic has concluded, noxious effects are still influencing people's lives. Residential care facilities have noticed continual acts of isolation that are presenting as barriers in mental health. Depression has known to be a common comorbidity in the ailment of dementia. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners have the unique and valuable role in working with this population to target beyond the biomechanical aspects of a resident. Identifying barriers for mastery in leisure pursuits throughout someone’s day is crucial. When residents …

Social Participation Program For Older Adults With Dementia Residing In Long Term Care Facilities, Keri Mcclelland

Student Capstone Papers

Social participation is characterized by activities that involve social interaction with others and supports social interdependence; individuals engage in this occupation through a variety of contexts including with their community, family, friends, and peers (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020). Social participation has been discovered to influence general health and well-being, cognitive health, risk of dementia, and stress (Sommerlad et al., 2023). Dementia is a prevalent disease affecting approximately 50 million individuals worldwide (Sommerlad et al., 2023) causing increased dependence and disability among the older adult population and is shown to be growing as the aging population increases in number (Wang …

Recollection-Based Occupational Therapy: An Activities Program For Catholic Dominican Sisters With Dementia, Alyssa J. Visockis

Capstone Projects

Recollection-based occupational therapy is a nonpharmacological approach to dementia, involving five categories of activities: horticultural, physical, art, musical, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The purpose of this approach is to incorporate memories of a person’s childhood, adulthood, and older adulthood before dementia in activities. Furthermore, the Grand Rapids Catholic Dominican sisters at Aquinata Hall needed a method to gather psychosocial history on their residents as well as new activity programming on the dementia- care unit that had meaningful purpose. Therefore, during this capstone experience, a psychosocial history assessment was created and conducted with the sisters. Using the results …

Dementia Education Opportunities For Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy And Physiotherapy Students- A Scoping Review, Samita Kirve, Alice Teague

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The number of dementia diagnoses is ever-increasing in the aging population, meaning that healthcare staff need to be equipped with the appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and skills to care for people with dementia. However, recent research suggests that globally, both healthcare workers and students require greater dementia education opportunities to meet the needs of people with dementia. There seems to be limited research exploring dementia education opportunities within occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) programs. A scoping review methodology was chosen to explore the literature about dementia education in global OT and PT programs. There was limited literature in this area …

Effective Communication With People With Dementia: An Exploratory Study Of Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy Students, Samita Kirve, Lucy Perkins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Dementia is a major global concern, with 50 million people already affected worldwide in 2018, and this number is expected to triple by 2050. Healthcare practitioners, specifically occupational therapists, are responsible for providing care and ensuring the well-being of people with dementia. However, occupational therapy students may not always have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively communicate and support dementia patients, which could negatively impact the quality of care they provide. To explore this issue, a study was conducted with final-year pre-registration occupational therapy students at a public university in England. The study used a qualitative methodology, with semi-structured …

Interventions For Care Partners Of Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Makenzie Kay Homan, Azia Marie Ourada, Reannon Taylor Rieber, Grace Delaney Tynan

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Interventions for Care Partners of Adults with Dementia: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: It is estimated that 8.5 million people are informal care partners for people with dementia (Friedman et al., 2015), which is a challenging role associated with emotional strain, anxiety and depression, increased care partner burden, poorer quality of life (QoL), financial strain, and lack of support (Hellis & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2023). It is important for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to use the most effective interventions that can be implemented to preserve informal care partners’ health, wellbeing, and quality of life (QoL) (Hellis & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2023). The purpose of this …

Ot's Role In Facilitating Successful Role Transition For Informal Caregivers Of People Living With Dementia, Kiyatta Freeman, Monica Watford, Evyline Chioma

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The aim of this capstone project was to identify education and training needs for family caregivers of individuals living with dementia and create an educational workshop based on these identified needs. This workshop is a dementia training course focused on education on the dementia diagnosis and effective care strategies to promote occupational participation and safety for the care recipient and the caregiver. The aim is to improve care competency, reduce stress, and facilitate role transition.

Training Program For Occupational Therapists Working With Skilled Caregivers In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Lovegifty Dudero, Mai Huynh, Ridhee Patel

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Dementia impairs one’s ability to live independently and participate in everyday activities (CDC, 2019). Individuals with dementia (IwD) are often referred to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for around-the-clock care to receive support for their everyday challenges brought on by dementia symptoms. Although certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help IwD with everyday self-care tasks, they frequently lack specialized dementia care training. Consequently, CNAs experience low self-efficacy when providing care and managing challenging behaviors IwD may have. OTs have expertise and understanding regarding the stages of dementia and how the symptoms of dementia impact participation in daily occupations. OTs working in SNFs are …

Developing Activities That Promote Social Participation For Dementia Residents Residing In Assisted Living Facilities, Rebecca Northcutt

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to create and implement a social participation program of activities to address and enhance the health and wellness and social needs of the dementia residents residing in the Liberty Park assisted living facility.

Treating Cognition Through Occupational Performance In Individuals With Neurological Disorders In Home Health, Alcina J. Park

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Neurological Disorders (ND) like Alzheimer’s Disease, is one of the leading chronic diseases in older adults (National Council on Aging, 2023). One of the most common symptoms of ND is cognitive dysfunction, which prevent individuals with NDs from pursuing their daily occupations (Liu et al., 2019). This makes the exploration of treatment that delays functional decline in NDs imperative. Occupational therapy is valued and recognized in literature, but limited research is specific to cognition in occupational performance in home health. This capstone project used cognitive therapy approaches Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy, and Cognitive Training, to combat cognitive decline …

Promoting Early Detection In Primary Care: Program Evaluation Of The Dementia Care Aware Program In Orange County, Ennah Cabading

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The aging population is growing quickly, raising concerns about the increasing numbers of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, as age is the common risk factor for acquiring the disease. The increase in the elderly population may influence higher healthcare costs and the need for more healthcare professionals like primary care professionals. However, primary care professionals face challenges meeting this population's demands due to the lack of training, confidence, and understanding of dementia care. A new California initiative called Dementia Care Aware aims to support primary care professionals by offering training, tools, and resources to increase early detection and …

Alzheimer's Dementia And Occupational Therapy, Sofia Demusaj, Averee Ortiz, Laura Swanson

Client Educational Handouts

This handout is an introduction to Alzheimer's dementia and the role that occupational therapy can have in the treatment of the disease. It contains facts, figures, signs, and symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia. It also contains examples of occupational therapy interventions and assessments for clients with Alzheimer's disease.

Implementation Of Client-Centered Instrumental Music To Improve Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms Of Clients With Dementia During Activities Of Daily Living, Jantzen Cranford

MOT Student Capstones

Preferred music is a powerful tool for improving behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia during activities of daily living. This approach involves personalized 3 play lists comprised of instrumental music known to be meaningful to the clients. Administering client-centered instrumental music is advantageous because it requires little training, materials, and set up. Once a suitable patient has been identified, comprehensive training and education should be provided by a treating healthcare worker. An in-service was subsequently delivered to educate adult daycare clinicians on the benefit of client centered music for addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia …

‘Can You See What I See?’: An Art Project Promoting Living Well With Dementia, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Caroline Hyland, an illustrator and former occupational therapist based in Dublin, Ireland, provided the cover art for the Winter 2023 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Can You See What I See?” is an acrylic painting on black textured paper. The piece was inspired by Caroline’s grandmother Kathleen Duhig, her love of flowers, and the song “The Dutchman.” Kathleen and three of her sisters lived with dementia. This painting, and several others, are featured in a book Caroline wrote to support living well with dementia. By combining her artistic talents and training as an occupational therapist, Caroline …

Occupational Transitions Of Family Caregivers Of Loved Ones With Dementia, Katherine L. Groezinger, Cameron J. Honsa, Darcey A. Wilkinson, Emily K. Simpson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to explore how family caregivers of people with dementia experience transitions in occupations as they assume the caregiver role. Because unpaid family caregivers play a vital part in the scheme of health care, it is important to understand their supports, their perceptions of themselves as caregivers, and the impact of caregiving on relationships, identity, and physical and mental health. Many researchers have studied the effects of caregiver burden, yet minimal attention has been given to the lived experiences of caregiving on their daily roles and routines. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was …

How Do Informal Caregivers Of A Person With Dementia Experience Stress And Which Supports Help Mitigate The Effect Of These Stressors?, Kwandra Andrews Brinson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD) are one of the most rapidly growing epidemics that the world is facing. Caring for a person with ADRD is challenging and often causes informal caregivers stress, loneliness, and social isolation.

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative instrumental case study was to obtain a better understanding of how informal caregivers of persons with ADRD experience stress and which supports helped mitigate the effect of these stressors in their role as a caregiver.

Theoretical Framework: The Model of Human Occupation focuses on therapy helping persons to engage in occupational behaviors that maintain, restore, reorganize, …

Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives On Using The Physical Environment In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Jennie L. Digrado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Occupational therapists (OTs) are among the health care professionals who assist individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) to engage in self-care and leisure skills in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) environment. Although the SNF environment has been researched, a gap exists regarding how OTs use the built environment to help clients with a NCD engage in self-care and leisure-related activities. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how OTs use the physical environment in a SNF to help individuals with a NCD engage in self-care and leisure related activities. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the …

Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives On Using The Physical Environment In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Jennie L. Digrado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Occupational therapists (OTs) are among the health care professionals who assist individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) to engage in self-care and leisure skills in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) environment. Although the SNF environment has been researched, a gap exists regarding how OTs use the built environment to help clients with a NCD engage in self-care and leisure-related activities. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how OTs use the physical environment in a SNF to help individuals with a NCD engage in self-care and leisure related activities. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the …

Enhancing Life: Promoting Meaningful Interventions To Support Individuals With Dementia, Keelan N. Blasius

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project focused on the implementation of meaningful interventions to support the quality of life in individuals with dementia. Those with dementia often lack the opportunity to participate in meaningful activities, leading to increased loneliness and decreased quality of life. Individual and group sessions were administered to eight participants over the course of fourteen weeks. Progress was tracked through feedback surveys and pre-test/post-test assessments. This project found that engaging in meaningful activities helps to support quality of life while also decreasing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

Virtual Visitation: Promoting Social Occupations In Dementia Care, Carly Spina, Lizann Jovanovich, Ashley Jones, Pamela Baraceros, Rena Ribeiro

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Approximately two thirds of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) residents in the United States have some form of cognitive impairment such as dementia (Gaugler, et.al, 2014). Care practices in SNFs highlighting safety and therapeutic exercises may further isolate and decrease social opportunities, which can contribute to sensory deprivation in this population and result in lower quality of life (Haigh & Mytton, 2015; Nakamae et al., 2014). COVID-19 visitation restrictions, as well as ongoing barriers of geographical distance, present additional challenges when seeking to engage PLwD residing in SNFs in meaningful social occupations.

Reminiscence has potential to remediate effects of isolation and …

Supporting The Role Of Professional Caregivers In Long-Term Care: Education, Training, And Caregiver Mental Health Interventions That Promote Dementia Care Excellence, Katelyn A. Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this capstone experience was to create a dementia caregiver education program to support caregivers in their role of caring for individuals with dementia. The first four weeks of the capstone experience were spent at Emerald Crest in Burnsville, MN, learning from an occupational therapist with more than 13 years of experience. Advanced knowledge was gained through engaging in OT evaluation and intervention sessions, completing two dementia certifications, interviewing staff members to highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, and applying theory to practice. Knowledge was then synthesized, applied, and built upon to create a training manual for the …

Dancing With Dementia: Using Dance And Movement To Combat The Negative Effects Of Occupational Deprivation In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Mikenzi R. Rivenbark

MOT Student Capstones

As human beings, it is natural to crave interaction with others and to engage within our surrounding environments. Unfortunately, individuals with dementia often lose their ability to independently access and participate within their environment; resulting in occupational deprivation. Occupational deprivation is seen frequently in residents with dementia within a skilled nursing facility (SNF) as they are often left disengaged and seated idle within the facility. Occupational deprivation can lead to psychological and physical illnesses, it can also enhance the progression of dementia, and result in premature death. The use of dance and movement with these residents can provide them the …

Improving Occupational Engagement: An Occupation-Based Virtual Program For Caregivers Of Individuals With Dementia, Betsabel Garcia, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects many people worldwide including informal caregivers of individuals with dementia (Harrison et al., 2019). Every year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias (CDC, 2019). As a result, many informal caregivers experience higher levels of caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety (Amato et al., 2021; Raj et al., 2021; Walter & Pinquart, 2020). This causes an occupational imbalance in caregivers' ability to meet their needs and those of their loved one. Leisure is within occupational therapy's …

Impact Of Coping Strategies For Caregivers Of Those With Dementia Or Alzheimer's Disease, Amanda W. Tilley

MOT Student Capstones

Caregivers of those who have Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dementia are challenged by the burdens placed on them in their role including not knowing how to use coping strategies to decrease the burden of care. There has already been research completed on how occupational therapy (OT) can help the client who has dementia or AD and how the caregiver can improve communication with person who has dementia or AD. There is a gap in the research showing how OT can help the caregivers cope with their role. OT can help with the difficulties caregivers have by teaching them coping strategies …

Developing A Resource For Optimizing Occupational Engagement In Adults With Dementia, Maria Del Carmen Rosas Ojeda

OT Student Capstones

Dementia is an umbrella term for cognitive impairments in memory, language, executive function, which may affect behavior and personality. Globally, about 50 million people have dementia, and that number is expected to reach 150 million by the year 2050 (Fortinsky et al., 2020). Dementia is a progressive disease that affects an individual’s ability to perform their daily occupations. The progression of dementia stages can be classified as early/mild, middle/moderate, and late/severe. Alzheimer’s disease makes up 60-80% of all dementia cases, although there are various other types of dementia, including Frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia, Vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease dementia …

Holistic Occupational Therapy Dining Interventions Supporting Individuals With Dementia In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Kathleen Osio, Sabrina Anne Cezar, Ashley Lorton, Lisa Worsham

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) with a Holistic Occupational Therapy Dementia Dining Toolkit to enhance the dining experience in the SNF setting for individuals in all stages of dementia. Dementia is a prevalent condition seen in skilled nursing facilities (SNF) that is expected to continue to rise; in 2016, 47.8 percent of individuals living in a SNF had a diagnosis of dementia (Center of Disease Control, 2020). Dining experiences for individuals with dementia (IwD) are impacted by an individual’s cognition, physical, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Additionally, the task oriented and structured approach to …