1. Psychosocial approaches for dementia: Local stimulation groups Annette Johannesen, MSc in OT The Danish Knowledge Center on Ageing

2. Reality Orientation (RO) A technique to improve the quality of life for confused people. It operates through the presentation of orientation information (time, place and person-related) to provide the person with greater understanding, resulting in an improved sense of control and self-esteem

3. Reality Orientation (RO) Important that the intervention is used in a sensitive, personal manner to people who want to be orientated to reality Constant re-learning drills may contribute to self-esteem problems if given in a rigid and insensitive way

4. Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) CST programme is based on concepts of RO CST sessions: group name, theme song, warm-up activities, themed sessions, RO- board, word association, multi-sensory stimulation, flexible activities, reminiscense, strengthening relationships...

5. Danish Experience: Stimulation in a group-setting Local stimulation groups run by activity workers and home care staff (Johannesen, Faaborg 1992)

6. Aim of the project Gaining people with dementia and their families a better quality of life calmer living a longer stay in their customary environment

7. Psychosocial approach Every person with dementia must be met as a unique person with a particular life story and profits from meeting others

8. Occupational approach Health and well- being is related to meaningful occupation People with dementia risk occupational imbalance and lack of stimulation

9. Home support To become familiar with the person with dementia, visits are made prior to attending the group

10. Assisted transport 3-5 times a week 5-8 participants are picked up at home 3 hours meetings

11. Programme Warming up, coffee, songs, inquiry on well- being Date, today’s menu and deciding the schedule of the day, themed sessions, exercise, games, quiz, multi-sensory stimulation, Sharing memories and the experiences of having memory problems

12. ”Cognitive fitness” Mental exercise: play, reading, quiz, puzzle, discussion, reminiscing, multi- sensory stimulation

13. Physical exercise/ activity

14. Sharing a meal

15. A qualitative evaluation Local stimulation groups: increase the attention on the everyday life of the group members increase their social skills offer relief to the family delay admission to institution makes transfer to institution less stressful

16. Psychosocial interventions are needed The National Danish guidelines stress the importance of non-pharmacological treatment and coordination of efforts Analysis from Sweden shows, that persons with dementia stay longer in their own home

17. References Samarbejdsmodel på demensområdet www.servicestyrelsen.dkwww.servicestyrelsen.dk Spector A et al.R eality orientation for dementia, The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2000. Oxford:Update software Sundhedsstyrelsen redegørelse: Demens - den fremtidige tilrettelæggelse af sundhedsvæsenets indsats vedrørende diagnostik og behandling. Kan downloades på http://www.ssst.dk/publ/Publ2001/Demens/kap01.htm http://www.ssst.dk/publ/Publ2001/Demens/kap01.htm Svenske Socialdepartementets rapport: På väg mod en god demensvård. Samhällets instser för personer med demenssjukdomar och deras anhörige, DS2003:47. Kan bestilles via fritzes.order@liber.se Swane CE. Glimt i øje! - Udvikling af omsorgen for demente gamle mennesker, 1991. Socialministeriets Informations- og konsulentvirksomhed (SIKON)