Living Well with Dementia: Feeling Empowered through Interaction with Their Social Environment

Ziebuhr, Berit; Zanasi, Michele; Bueno Aguado, Yolanda; Losada Durán, Raquel; Dening, Tom; Tournier, Isabelle; Niedderer, Kristina; Diaz, Ana; Druschke, Diana; Almeida, Rosa; Holthoff-Detto, Vjera

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.

Citation

Ziebuhr, B., Zanasi, M., Bueno Aguado, Y., Losada Durán, R., Dening, T., Tournier, I., Niedderer, K., Diaz, A., Druschke, D., Almeida, R., & Holthoff-Detto, V. (2023). Living Well with Dementia: Feeling Empowered through Interaction with Their Social Environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(12), Article 6080. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126080

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 2, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 8, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Deposit Date: Jun 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 12, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: 6080
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126080
• Keywords: Dementia; usefulness; empowerment; self-determination; shared decision-making
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/21646709
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/12/6080