Engagement in elderly persons with dementia attending animal-assisted group activity
Abstract
The need for meaningful activities that enhance engagement is very important among persons with dementia (PWDs), both for PWDs still living at home, as well as for PWDs admitted to a nursing home (NH). In this study, we systematically registered behaviours related to engagement in a group animal-assisted activity (AAA) intervention for 21 PWDs in NHs and among 28 home-dwelling PWDs attending a day care centre. The participants interacted with a dog and its handler for 30 minutes, twice a week for 12 weeks. Video-recordings were carried out early (week 2) and late (week 10) during the intervention period and behaviours were categorized by the use of an ethogram. AAA seems to create engagement in PWDs, and might be a suitable and health promoting intervention for both NH residents and participants of a day care centre. Degree of dementia should be considered when planning individual or group based AAA.
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Biographies
Christine Olsen is a PhD candidate at the Section for Public Health Science, ILP, University of Life Sciences, Ås. She has a master degree in ethology, and her research focus is within animal assisted interventions and human–animal interactions.
Ingeborg Pedersen is researcher at the Section for Public Health Science, ILP, University of Life Sciences, Ås. Her research focus is within animal assisted interventions and care farming for people with dementia.
Astrid Bergland, professor (health science and physiotherapy) is the leader of the research group “Aging, Health and Welfare” (AHW) at Oslo and Akershus University College. AWH covers a broad area of clinical research related to ageing, including intervention studies and studies focusing on methods for testing and evaluating nutritional status, physical, mental and social function.
Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers is PhD, professor in Anthrozoology at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, at the Open University of the Netherlands and is trained as a health care psychologist. Her research is focused on the human-animal bond and the effects of animal assisted interventions on vulnerable populations (such as the elderly).
Camilla Ihlebæk is PhD, professor in Public Health at the Section of Public Health Science, ILP, University of Life Sciences, Ås and Østfold University College, Fredrikstad. Her research within dementia care is focused on health promoting activities.
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Article first published online: September 20, 2016
Issue published: January 2019
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PubMed: 27590332
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