RESUMO
Objective: This study aimed to identify factors that hinder or facilitate the implementation of an exergaming technology, SilverFit Mile, which offers virtual cycling, for nursing home residents with dementia in and its potential impact on feelings of loneliness. Methods: The study followed a descriptive qualitative approach using semi structured interviews with eight care professionals in nursing homes in the Netherlands and based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Thematic text analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Results: We identified three main themes and twelve subthemes based on the CFIR. The main themes were residents' personal characteristics, implementation factors, and loneliness. SilverFit Mile was more suitable for those familiar with cycling and those who enjoyed more solitary activities. Organizational factors such as staff's low digital literacy, lack of time, and need for training were found barriers to implementation, while facilitators included fostering social interaction. Conclusions: SilverFit Mile was considered positively by care staff based on observations of persons living with dementia. We identified loneliness as a relevant outcome of SilverFit Mile implementation. We argue that SilverFit Mile can foster social interaction between residents and staff through reminiscence or the physical aspect of cycling. However, a better understanding of the connection between loneliness and the use of SilverFit Mile is needed. Overall, our research provides initial ideas about how exergaming technology might address loneliness in dementia.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In general, most people with dementia living in the community are served by family caregivers at home. A similar situation is found in Germany. One primary goal of dementia care networks is to provide information on support services available to these caregiving relatives of people with dementia via knowledge management. The evaluation of knowledge management tools and processes for dementia care networks is relevant to their performance in successfully achieving information goals. One goal of this paper was the analysis of knowledge evaluation in dementia care networks, including potential barriers and facilitators, across Germany within the DemNet-D study. Additionally, the impact of highly formalized and less formalized knowledge management performed in dementia care networks was analyzed relative to family caregivers' feelings of being informed about dementia support services. METHODS: Qualitative data were collected through interviews with and semi-standardized questionnaires administered to key persons from 13 dementia care networks between 2013 and 2014. Quantitative data were collected using standardized questionnaires. A structured content analysis and a mixed-methods analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The analyses indicated that the development of knowledge goals is important for a systematic knowledge evaluation process. Feedback from family caregivers was found to be beneficial for the target-oriented evaluation of dementia care network services. Surveys and special conferences, such as quality circles, were used in certain networks to solicit this feedback. Limited resources can hinder the development of formalized knowledge evaluation processes. More formalized knowledge management processes in dementia care networks can lead to a higher level of knowledge among family caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The studied tools, processes and potential barriers related to knowledge evaluation contribute to the development and optimization of knowledge evaluation strategies for use in dementia care networks. Furthermore, the mixed-methods results indicate that highly formalized dementia care networks are especially successful in providing information to family members caring for people with dementia via knowledge management.