DE TIJD VAN TOEN VANDAAG Enhancing reminiscence activities for people living with dementia in residential care

LSM Project  LSM project (province of Limburg)  3 Partners (ECD Contact; Kennisatelier Archipel; UC Leuven Limburg  Goals: o Create network for professional caregivers dealing with dementia within Limburg (LND) o Provide “dementia compass” for people living with dementia and their caregivers o Facilitate “region wide” implementation of evidence based good practices within dementia care  The “Tijd van Toen Vandaag “is one of these projects

De Tijd Van Toen Vandaag  Needs of professional caregivers:  Easy to use and ready to use reminiscence material to enhance “reminiscing” within the facility  Additional Goals LND:  Enhance the integration of reminiscence in the daily activities of residential homes  Facilitate exchange of expertise and knowledge between organisations

Development  Development of reminiscence boxes (Summer 2013-February 2014)  Selection of themes o Literature, informal survey professional caregivers o Religion, Crafts, Education, Child Care and Health Care, Daily Living Within each theme several sub themes  Development of content o Inclusion of 5 senses Objects, photos, audio-visual material, olfactory triggers (smell), taste o Documentation included o First one theme developed (religion) and tested in 5 locations, then others

 Example: Child birth

Development  Development and testing of Reminiscence workshop (summer-autumn2013)  “Teach the Teacher”  Experiential Learning o Focus on methodology of reminiscing o How to enthuse colleagues o Integration in daily activities  Tested in 5 locations (with box religion) and 30+ participants

Reminiscence Rounds  First reminiscence round (April 2014-September 2014)  5 regional rounds o 20 organisations (4 per region)  Start up meeting (2) with reminiscence workshop  Practical Rounds: o Per region 2 subboxes with mix of themes (minimum 4) o Each organisation received materials for 4 weeks at a time o Each organisation contributed at least one object/ reminiscence activity o Regional intervision sessions to enhance exchange of experiences and evaluate process

Findings  First Reminiscence Round  Evaluation o Through intervision sessions o End evaluations (interviews)

Findings  Findings  Themes well received? ++ most themes Lots of interactions Frequent use suggestions for additional themes -some too regional  Material well received? + differentiation - younger residents - audio-visual material not used that frequently

Findings  Findings  Documentation useful? + practical, informative + easily adaptable to needs (group activities, individual) + notebook frequently used

Findings  Findings  Was exchange of knowledge and expertise facilitated? + intervisions: lots of interaction, exchange of ideas, methods + addition to boxes of new methods, objects by each organisation! + notebook frequently used to register uses, activities Perceived as very helpful by participants - use of social media as medium for exchange

Findings  Findings  Did transition of boxes go according to plan? No, not always practical difficulties with exchange of material between organizations o Differences between regions Need for better communication, flexibility Need for clear responsibilities

Findings  Findings  Was the integration of reminiscence in the daily activities enhanced? + in some organisations, care staff (nursing aides, nursing staff) actively involved BUT In general still most frequently used by animation staff, occupational therapists + Focus on reminiscence, more frequent reminiscence activities during “loan” period, but also afterwards, interest from family and care staff

Next Steps  New consecutive exchange rounds starting  Adjustments made: o 5 rounds due to success (1 for home care) o Separate start session for each region Commitments noted 1 responsible per region Longer exchange periods o All new participants Reminiscence workshop for larger team

Next Steps  Remaining Goals (end 2015)  Self sufficient regions with minimal follow up central team  Additional data gathering o Frequency of reminiscence activities o Integration in daily living o Use by care staff, volunteers, …  Guidelines (Script) for development of reminiscence rounds

Partners  UCLL  Dominique Manhaeve, RN, MN o  Kennisatelier Archipel  Ils Mattheussen, psychologist o  ECD Contact  Anneleen Janssens o