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Promoting well‐being and independence for people with dementia
Author(s) -
Woods Bob
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199902)14:2<97::aid-gps941>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - dementia , independence (probability theory) , psychology , psychological intervention , gerontology , activities of daily living , randomized controlled trial , medicine , psychiatry , disease , statistics , mathematics , surgery , pathology
Abstract This paper reviews the research evidence relating to non‐pharmacological interventions with people with dementia aiming to improve well‐being and independence. There have been a number of attempts to improve the person's level of independent functioning through programmes training and supporting self‐care skills, mobility, continence, orientation and participation in activities. Well‐being has been less often directly addressed, although recently studies have begun to specifically target aspects of it. Increased independence does not necessarily lead to greater well‐being, and it is clear that the greatest potential for increasing function is in tackling the excess disability which many care giving situations in effect impose on the person with dementia. In carrying out research in this area, the limitations of randomized controlled trials are evident, and there is much to be said for the reporting of series of carefully controlled single‐case studies in addition to group studies. Further development of methods of measuring well‐being in people with dementia is also required. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.