Attitudes of Nursing Home Managers Regarding Cognitively Stimulating Activities in People With Dementia: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Group-based cognitive stimulation has shown short-term benefits for the cognitive outcomes of people with dementia living in nursing homes (NH). However, group participation can be a barrier for people with advanced dementia, bedridden people or isolated people. The CogStim24 project seeks to develop and implement a new psychosocial intervention based on cognitively stimulating (CS) activities integrated into daily nursing care. As part of the intervention development process, this study aimed to survey NH managers' attitudes and describe currently used approaches to CS activities in German NH. METHODS: We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study between September and December 2021 in randomly recruited NH in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. NH representatives were asked to fill in a self-developed online questionnaire. We analysed data descriptively, presenting means and standard deviations. For case scenario questions, we used a summative content analysis. RESULTS: We contacted 354 NH and 106 agreed to participate. Representatives of 64 facilities completed the survey. Almost all stated to have implemented CS activities. Cognitive exercises (98%), physical and relaxation exercises (98%) and reminiscence therapy (95%) were most often used. The majority (96%) thought that CS activities could support people with dementia in maintaining their cognitive functions and that nurses should have a key role in the implementation of CS activities. More than half believed that regular CS activities were easy to implement alongside routine nursing care. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that CS activities are frequently applied in German NH. The positive attitude of NH managers regarding the implementation and effects of CS activities is an important implementation resource. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nursing staff should be more involved in providing CS activities for people with dementia. Training, information, and implementation material must be made available for nursing staff who wish to have an active role in providing CS activities.

Cognitive stimulation for people with dementia in nursing homes: a protocol for a feasibility study examining a new 24/7 approach (CogStim24).

INTRODUCTION: Based on the available evidence, cognitive stimulation is recommended as an intervention for people with dementia (PwD). Currently, cognitive stimulation is regularly offered as a group programme in care facilities. However, some residents, such as those who are bedridden, cannot participate. Furthermore, group programmes were not feasible during the pandemic. A concept that accompanies everyday life and enables cognitive stimulation in everyday communication (ie, '24/7') has been missing. Therefore, this feasibility study aims to (1) assess the feasibility of a new continuous 24/7 cognitive stimulation programme (CogStim24) based on a process evaluation and (2) examine the possible effects of CogStim24 on the primary outcome of global cognition in PwD and further PwD-related and staff-related outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The complex CogStim24 programme is developed to be conducted as an everyday intervention during routine care including cognitively stimulating techniques, such as reminiscence therapy, multisensory stimulation and physical activity. In this unblinded single-arm study with pre-assessments and post-assessments, four nursing homes with a total of N=20 nursing and care staff will participate in an 11-week CogStim24 training programme. The intervention will be conducted to N=60 PwD. Neuropsychological assessments will be conducted pre-staff and post-staff training, as well as after a 6-week implementation phase. A process evaluation will be performed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Although cognitive stimulation is known to be effective for enhancing global cognition and quality of life in PwD, it is currently undersupplied to PwD. Therefore, CogStim24 has the potential to reach many more PwD. This study has the potential to serve as a basis for a large multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial. An interdisciplinarity team and mixed-methods approach will help generate information on the practicality and mechanisms of impact of CogStim24. This is important for the further development of the intervention and for facilitating its implementation. The study results will be disseminated via presentations at scientific conferences and meetings for healthcare professionals and PwD and their relatives. Several manuscripts presenting results of the different study parts will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00024381.