| This study was conducted to better understand how activities may impact quality of life on dementia care units. Based on the Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia definition provided by Brod, Stewart, Sands, and Walton (1999), researchers observed dementia care units, and looked into how different activity types impacted emotional affect in the person with dementia, and how they elicited different levels of positive staff interaction. Results indicated that there were significantly higher levels of positive affect from participants on certain activity types, compared to no activity. The largest levels of positive affect were displayed during music therapy, motor activities, and activity centers. Activity types were also associated with differing levels of positive staff interaction (music therapy and motor activities had the highest levels of positive staff interactions, as well). Based on field notes and the data analysis, defining characteristics of a quality activity were established, and the Quality Activity for Persons with Dementia Scale iv (including 5 subscales) was developed. I concluded that quality activities should consider the environment, staff ratio, staff communication and interaction, engagement of clients, and adaptability to the individual interest and ability of client. These findings have implications for activities coordinators and recreation, who can use these findings to identify more effective and higher quality activities for their clients with dementia. |
