Dementia in the workplace case study research:understanding the experiences of individuals, colleagues, and managers

ABSTRACTThis article reports case study research which addresses the gap in knowledge about dementia in the workplace. Receiving a diagnosis of dementia whilst still in employment may have negative consequences for a person's identity, further compounded by loss of employment. This study is the first to explore the employment-related experiences of people with dementia and their employers to determine the potential for continued employment post-diagnosis. Sixteen case studies centred on a person with dementia who was still in employment or had left in the previous 18 months. Each involved interviews with the person with dementia, a family member and a workplace representative. This triangulation of the data promoted rigour, allowing the experiences to be viewed through a variety of lenses to build a clear picture of each situation. Thematic analysis was carried out and three themes were developed: (a) dementia as experienced in the workplace; (b) work keeps me well; and (c) wider impact of dementia in the workplace. These findings have the potential to initiate changes to policy and practice related to supporting employees with dementia. The implications of this research are multifaceted and need to be considered in terms of the individuals’ wellbeing, organisational support, as well as the wider theoretical, economic and societal consequences of supporting an employee with dementia.</jats:p

The relationship between frailty, functional dependence, and healthcare needs among community‐dwelling people with moderate to severe dementia

This paper examines the healthcare needs of community‐dwelling older people living in Porto, Portugal, diagnosed with moderate or severe dementia, linked to functional dependency, cognitive decline, limitations in the activities of daily life, and frailty levels. A sample of 83 participants was recruited. Data were collected between 2013 and 2017. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Barthel Index (BI), the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale, and the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) were used. A set of 26 healthcare needs was defined to support the assessment. The Pearson chi‐square or Fisher’s exact test (as appropriate) was used to examine the association of the needs (unmet and met) with the levels of dementia and frailty. Participants were diagnosed previously with moderate or severe dementia and benefited from a structured home‐care program. There was a high number rated as “severe dementia,” “fully dependent,” “severely or fully dependent in the activities of daily living (ADL),” and “severe frailty.” There were statistically significant differences among needs identified in people with moderate or severe dementia and moderate or severe frailty. The most prevalent healthcare needs in the sample were food preparation, medication/taking pills, looking after their home, toilet use, sensory problems, communication/interaction, bladder, bowels, eating and drinking, memory, sleeping, and falls prevention. In particular, the study identifies a set of needs that are present simultaneously in both frailty and dementia stages. This study underlines that despite well‐structured home‐care programs for people with dementia, unmet health needs remain. Timely healthcare needs assessment may help professionals to avoid fragmented care and to tailor quality‐ integrated interventions, including the emotional and psychological balance of the caregiver.publishe

Developing evidence for football (soccer) reminiscence interventions with long-term care: a cooperative approach applied in Scotland and Spain

Loneliness is a common experience within long-term care and, to promote wellbeing and quality of life among people with dementia, it is important to draw upon a repertoire of strategies that provide social stimulation, companionship and enjoyment. This paper describes and reflects on a program of co-operative social participatory research which sought to introduce football-focused (i.e. soccer-based) reminiscence based in four community settings within Spain and Scotland. Findings are reported and inform an original conceptual model that supports the introduction of sustainable approaches to the development of football-focused reminiscence with and for people with dementia