The Experience and Management of Temporality in Five Cases of Dementia

Abstract

Nyga Ê rd L, Johansson M. The experience and management of temporality in ×e cases of dementia. Scand J Occup Ther 2001; 8: 85-95. How persons with dementia may experience time, temporal problems and temporal adaptations in their everyday lives is explored. The clinical implementation process and outcome of time aid interventions in ve cases are also described. Data were collected through initial interviews with ve participants, diagnosed with dementia, and with three spouses. Thereafter, time aids were chosen for intervention in each case. During the intervention, data were collected through eldnotes and interviews, including evaluative interviews closing the interventions. The participants described experiences of temporal rhythms and extensions. Their temporal problems mainly concerned temporal relationships and coherence, and ''knowing when'' and ''how long''. They individually met the problems with strategies that aimed to overall decrease the effects of the temporal problems in general, as well as with direct and conscious attempts to address problems mainly concerning temporal orientation. When time aids were used, dif culty ''knowing when'' seemed to be most responsive to aids. However, the success of the time aid interventions was limited, as was the success of the spontaneously used strategies. Motivation and insight seemed to be important, as well as the participants' present and former attitudes to temporality. Possible implications for occupational therapy interventions are discussed, considering the clinical and piloting nature of the study.

Telephone use among noninstitutionalized persons with dementia living alone: Mapping out difficulties and response strategies

“…Therefore, we also wanted to uncover the strategies that were practised by the persons with dementia themselves. In former studies of adaptational and compensational efforts among persons with dementia, a variety of both spontaneous and planned strategies for managing problems in everyday life have been discovered (24, 26–30). Consequently, we expected such responsive efforts (i.e.…”

Occupational Engagement and Adaptation in Adults with Dementia: A Preliminary Investigation

“…In a familiar setting, they found initiation easier and often habitual. Nygard and Johansson (2001), in their study of temporality among those with dementia, reported that participants relied upon their spouses to organize their day. In many cases this could be due to a change in routine or setting.…”

Occupational Engagement and Adaptation in Adults with Dementia: A Preliminary Investigation

“…These studies are congruent with our finding that caregivers served to initiate performance of many occupations by the participant. Nygard and Johansson (2001), in their study of temporality among those with dementia, reported that participants relied upon their spouses to organize their day. Again, this is congruent with our finding that participants relied upon caregivers for initiation of occupation.…”