The experience of people with dementia in a social care group: Case study

Abstract

In Germany hourly care for people with dementia and relief for family caregivers are often delivered through social care groups. The existing literature describes these groups from the perspective of professionals or family caregivers, with little involvement of people with dementia. This qualitative study is the first step in exploring the experiences of people with dementia in social care groups. Five persons suffering from dementia in one group were interviewed and additionally observed with DCM in three group sessions. The interview transcripts were coded open and axial according to Grounded Theory. The DCM data was analysed descriptive. The main phenomena in the interviews are 'familiar community' and 'personal meaning'. The DCM results show that people with lower cognitive function are excluded from most activities, whereas more staff attention causes better well-being. To create a 'familiar community' in a social care group, staff skills and knowledge are required.

<p>Facilitation of activities for people with dementia in day care: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of staff</p>

“…The staff should seek “normality” and acceptance and minimize the occurrence of stress in the environment 5. Qualitative studies of attendees’ experiences with day care revealed the importance of the skills and attitudes of day care staff for the attendees to enjoy and benefit from the service 3,6,23,24…”

A social practice theory approach to exploring the ubiquity of quizzes in dementia care settings

“…The prevalence of 'social quizzes' for people with dementia has been touched upon in numerous descriptions of activities in social care settings (e.g. Mather, 2006;Holthe et al, 2007;Hochgraeber et al, 2013;Guendouzi et al, 2016;Kiddle et al, 2016;Evans et al, 2017;Rokstad et al, 2019;Webb et al, 2020a;Ellingsen-Dalskau et al, 2021). Quizzes are also frequently promoted as an activity to do in groups for people living with dementia (see Dowling, 1995;Swann, 2004;Bowden and Lewthwaite, 2009;Light and Delves, 2011;Graty, 2013).…”

Through the eyes of others – the social experiences of people with dementia: a systematic literature review and synthesis

“…Although dementia can have profound negative effects on relationships (Evans and Lee, 2014), emerging research has demonstrated how positive family relationships (Ablitt et al , 2009; La Fontaine and Oyebode, 2014), friendships (e.g. Harris, 2012, 2013), peer support groups, and relationships (Beard and Fox, 2008; Hochgraeber et al , 2013) can all be sustained in spite of dementia. Better cognitive functioning has also been noted when people with dementia are engaged with larger social networks (Bennett et al , 2006).…”