An exploration of the experience of using calendar reminders for people with dementia and family carers

Abstract

People with dementia and family carers often use calendars to support time orientation to maintain routine. However, little is known about the use of calendars as a compensatory strategy. This study examines the experience and practicalities of using calendar reminders from the perspective of people with dementia and family carers. Six dyads were recruited and interviewed at home. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to develop a narrative interpreted from an occupational therapy perspective. The themes were reflected on during two subsequent focus groups. Findings suggested that calendars are used either intensively as external memory records or more casually and randomly for reassurance. The familiarity and location of the calendar and its utility to the person with dementia and carer, all contribute to its efficacy. For carers the experience of supporting calendar reminders encompasses practical, cognitive and emotional effort. There was little awareness amongst participants of electronic assistive technology.

Associations between Time Processing Ability, Daily Time Management, and Dementia Severity

“…Dementia is characterised by a progressive deterioration in cognition, affecting, among other things, memory and visuospatial functions [ 1 ], time perception and time orientation [ 2 , 3 ], and the ability to manage time [ 4 ]. Persons with dementia (PwDs) often need frequent support in daily time management (DTM) by significant others or formal caregivers, for example, to keep track of time, to arrive on time for scheduled activities, and to plan activities in a time-specific order with enough time allocated [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Assessing time processing ability and daily time management in persons with dementia: Psychometric properties of three instruments

“…In most societies, the ability to manage time is of great importance for independence in daily life, participation in society and well‐being (Christiansen & Townsend, 2010 ; Pemberton & Cox, 2013 ; Topo et al, 2007 ). Persons with dementia often need frequent support in daily occupations that require time management skills (Boger et al, 2014 ; Evans & Collier, 2019 ; Persson et al, 2020 ). Reminders to keep track of appointments, to initiate, perform and finish occupations in time, as well as support in planning occupations in a specific time order might be necessary (Boger et al, 2014 ; Evans & Collier, 2019 ; Persson et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Persons with dementia often need frequent support in daily occupations that require time management skills (Boger et al, 2014 ; Evans & Collier, 2019 ; Persson et al, 2020 ). Reminders to keep track of appointments, to initiate, perform and finish occupations in time, as well as support in planning occupations in a specific time order might be necessary (Boger et al, 2014 ; Evans & Collier, 2019 ; Persson et al, 2020 ). Problems in daily time management may also lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, for example, the person with dementia might lack the ability to estimate how long one should wait for something to happen (Nygård & Johansson, 2001 ).…”

Lack of time and dependence on significant others: Occupational therapists´ experiences of prescribing time assistive technology for persons with dementia

“…DTM is defined as 'managing one's time in daily life, both alone and along with others, and adapting to time demands' [5]. For example, PwDs might need help in keeping track of which day and which time of day it is, to be in time for appointments, to be reminded to initiate and perform activities and monitor that the activities have been performed [6], as well as to plan activities in a time specific order, to pace task performance, to allocate enough time and make plans for separate activities throughout the day [4,7].…”