Family dementia caregiving, human occupation, qualitative meta-synthesis.Introduction: In 2009, the United Kingdom Department of Health identified the need to assist families so that people with dementia can remain living at home. Occupational therapists could support families and their loved ones at home by understanding the human occupational impact of caregiving. This impact includes how one is influenced by values and motivated to perform activities shaped by experiences and life roles. The purpose of this review was to synthesize qualitative research related to family dementia caregiving, extrapolating information about the human occupational impact on the caregiver. The aim was to inform occupational therapy practice.Method: A search was conducted across a range of electronic databases. A quality appraisal tool was specifically developed for the study appraisal and data extraction process. Data were extracted and analysed within the Model of Human Occupation framework.Findings: Twenty studies were included in this review. Five themes emerged: adapting to dementia; staying motivated and in control; preserving occupational balance and wellbeing; gaining meaning from the caregiver role; and losses and burden.Conclusion: The human occupational impact of caregiving affects the quality and decision-making of care for families. Occupational therapists are well placed to support families through the stages of dementia.Reference: Yong ASL, Price L (2014) The human occupational impact of partner and close family caregiving in dementia: a meta-synthesis of the qualitative research, using a bespoke quality appraisal tool.

Introduction This qualitative research explores the experience of partner caregivers and how their partner’s dementia impacts on their daily living and occupational lives, with the aim of informing the sustainability of homecare and decreasing the likelihood of formal care. Method Ten participants were recruited through Alzheimer’s Society groups. They were interviewed using the same semi-structured interview process and asked questions about their daily activities and caregiving role. The data was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis process and themes generated using inductive coding and reasoning. Findings Three main themes were identified: (1) losing occupational activities and roles; (2) adapting to a new occupational life and (3) adjusting to a new relationship in the trajectory of their partner’s illness. Conclusion This study highlights the complex occupational challenges experienced by partner caregivers of people with dementia. It suggests that there is a role for occupational therapists in sustaining homecare by working with partner caregivers as ‘expert service users’. Involvement should be provided at critical points of the caregiving journey and include co-creating technology solutions for social inclusion, sustaining adaptive engagement in personal occupations, creating opportunities for restoration and supporting caregivers to preserve their partner’s personhood.

Background: Access to housing for people with intellectual disabilities is often constrained by lack of choice, control and can often be inappropriate or unsafe. To enable people to remain at home and participate in their occupations, a collation and review of theories and models supporting good home environment design offers a view from which practice could be advanced. Method: A scoping review was used to map the literature on theories and models on home environmental designing, which can have influence on the occupational performance and participation of people with intellectual disabilities. The theories and models found were analysed using the lens of the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance model. Results: Four themes supporting the understanding of environmental home design that can influence participation and well-being were found. These were offering safety and comfort; providing control and choice to manage stress; offering skill acquisition for continued learning and interest; and the person–environment interaction for function and participation. The themes are discussed in relation to participation in occupation and well-being for people with intellectual disabilities. Conclusion: The study contributes knowledge to practitioners and stakeholders on theories and models of home environment design which could support the occupational performance, participation and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities.

Introduction Asylum-seekers face significant barriers to meaningful occupation, leading to negative health and wellbeing outcomes. This study provides a strength-based approach to enhance understandings about the meaning of occupation for those seeking asylum. Method A systematic search of the literature identified seven qualitative research studies. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesise the findings. Results Examination of the selected studies generated three third-order interpretations as follows: keeping busy as a coping mechanism; maintaining continuity with past life by preserving identity, roles, values and culture; and building a new future with a drive to be a productive member of society. The study also identified factors that support meaningful occupational engagement during asylum. Conclusion This study shows that occupations are essential to existence for asylum-seekers. They help preserve identity and life-continuity; help people make sense of disorder in their life; and provide opportunity for reflection, leading to motivation toward goal-directed occupation. Finally, engaging in occupation helps people adjust and cope with trauma. The study highlights that a lack of meaningful occupations may limit the long-term benefits of occupational engagement while seeking asylum. Recommendations are made for further research to challenge restrictive policies and promote the rights and wellbeing of this population.