Object handling for people with dementia: a scoping review and the development of intervention guidance

D'Andrea, Federica ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1643-6162, Dening, Tom, Tischler, Victoria and Albert, Steven M (2022) Object handling for people with dementia: a scoping review and the development of intervention guidance. Innovation in Aging, 6 (5).

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Abstract

Background and Objectives
Among the various psychosocial interventions aiming at improving behavior, quality of life, and the well-being of people with dementia, one that has attracted recent attention has been object handling. This scoping review synthesizes available studies on object handling for people with dementia, their effects, and methodological characteristics and describes its components and likely domains.

Research Design and Methods
The search was conducted using CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, Academic Search Elite, and Art Full Text, plus review of reference lists and hand search. Data from the studies included were chattered and reported in narrative form.

Results
Eleven studies were included; of which, 9 described a group intervention and 10 investigated the distinctive value of heritage items. Studies used a mixed-methods or qualitative design and varied in their procedures, including number of sessions and length of intervention. Most studies reported positive effects on well-being, mood, and emotion in those with dementia. Qualitative investigations revealed that the co-construction of an object’s meaning facilitated new learning, social inclusion, and change in attitudes toward dementia. From the review and stakeholder consultations, a definition of object handling is proposed, which includes three components: presenting, receiving, and responding.

Discussion and Implications
The findings suggest that people with dementia may benefit from object handling interventions as a means of improving well-being, mood, and social inclusion. The review highlighted a variety of approaches used and a small number of studies were identified under the term of “object handling.” Further studies are needed to examine the complexity of object handling, its impact within dementia care settings, and that explicitly use the term “object handling.” Given the focus to date on heritage, archive, and museum objects, more studies involving the handling of everyday material objects are needed because these are by definition highly accessible.

Item Type: Article
Identifier: 10.1093/geroni/igac043
Additional Information: This work was supported by a doctoral scholarship award to F.D’A. by the University of West London
Keywords: Dementia care, Heritage items, Nonpharmacological interventions, Object handling, Psychosocial interventions
Subjects: Medicine and health > Clinical medicine > Dementia
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Depositing User: Federica D'Andrea
Date Deposited: 05 Aug 2022 13:29
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2024 16:11
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/9290

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