| |
Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
 | |
|
| Does theatre improve the quality of life of people with dementia? | | Author(s) | A Marijke van Dijk, Julia C M van Weert, Rose-Marie Droes |
| Journal title | International Psychogeriatrics, vol 24, no 3, March 2012 |
| Pages | pp 367-381 |
| Source | www.journals.cambridge.org/ipg |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Memory and Reminiscence ; Therapy ; Drama ; Quality of life ; Nursing homes ; Comparison ; Netherlands. |
| Annotation | The "Veder method" is a recently developed communication method used in dementia care in the Netherlands. Caregivers are trained to apply this method in a group activity ("living-room theatre activity") for people with dementia in which theatrical stimuli are used in combination with proven emotion-oriented care methods. This Dutch exploratory study evaluates the added value of the Veder method group activity compared to a regular reminiscence group activity, the aim being to investigate whether professional carers can achieve the same effects with the Veder method as professional actors. A quasi-experimental three-group design was used. Experimental group E1 (n=65) joined a living-room theatre activity offered by trained professional caregivers. Experimental group E2 (n=31) joined a living-room theatre activity offered by professional actors. The control group (n=55) received a usual reminiscence group activity. Behaviour, mood and aspects of quality of life were measured using standardized observation scales at three points in time: (T1) pre-test; (T2) during the intervention; and (T3) post-test, two hours after the intervention. During the intervention, significant differences were found in favour of the group that was offered a living-room theatre activity by actors (E2) on different aspects of behaviour, mood and quality of life. At post-test, people in E2 were more alert compared to the control group. Moreover, they recalled more memories and showed less socially isolated behaviour compared to the control group. This study shows that the Veder method has some clear positive effects on behaviour and mood of people with dementia when applied by professional actors. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-121026082 A |
| Classmark | EA: DB: LO: HKD: F:59: LHB: 48: 76H |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
|
| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
| |
|