Role Of Community Participation In Improving Quality Of Life In Clients With Dementia And Their Caregivers

<p>Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on quality of life for clients with dementia and their caregivers by participating in a community program, the Memory Café. </p> <p>Method: In this qualitative, cross case study, the Marwit Meser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI) was given to caregiver. Data collection was done by interviewing the participants; there was a main question with follow- up questions as needed. All the interviews were audiotaped and transcribed followed by primary and secondary coding. Shortlisting of categories resulted in emergence of themes which were common across cases and unique to each case. </p> <p>Results: Emergent themes common across cases were: couplehood, community awareness and involvement, and role of occupational therapy. There were other themes which were found to be unique to each role of client, caregiver and care-provider (occupational therapist and community outreach coordinator). </p> <p>Conclusion: Community participation has a direct impact on cognitive functioning and participation in community based programs favorably affects quality of life among clients with dementia and their caregivers. Participants had positive feedback about their involvement in community based program such as Memory Café which is supported strongly by literature. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2016

Author dc:creator

• Dhamija, Mridula

• Alzheimer’s Memory Café
• Caregiver
• Care-provider
• community based programs
• Dementia
• social participation
• Mental Disorders
• Occupational Therapy

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Mridula Dhamija

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/360

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1358