Living Well with Dementia: Feeling Empowered through Interaction with Their Social Environment.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 20(12)2023 06 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37372667
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to advance our understanding of how feelings of empowerment in people living with dementia still residing at home can be promoted. We conducted qualitative interviews with 12 participants with mild-to-moderate stages of dementia in Germany and Spain as part of a European study on mindful design for dementia. A qualitative thematic content analysis was performed to elicit the key features of the experience reported by the interviewees. Three overarching categories were identified the first category 'experiencing changes in personal life and coping with changes in life' covered losses and coping strategies; the second category 'retaining a sense of usefulness' included social participation and the need for activities with others; the third category 'feeling empowered' covered reflections on lifetime achievements, accomplishments in the present life, being in control and self-worth. Participants placed a strong emphasis on continuity and on the importance of making active decisions and meaningful social contributions. Empowerment within the person living with dementia was achieved through their interactions with their social environment, including the significance of communication about their needs and wishes and enabling shared decision-making and interactions with others in reciprocity.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Social Environment
/
Dementia
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany