Browsing by Author "Sheetz, Nicole"

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    Community-Based Service Providers’ Experiences With Activities for Persons With Dementia
    (Sage, 2021-10) Holden, Richard J.; Cavalcanti, Luiz H.; Vemireddy, Sravani; Bateman, Daniel R.; Sheetz, Nicole; Fowler, Nicole R.; Parmar, Takshak; Karanam, Yamini L. P.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Persons with dementia (PWD) benefit from participating in meaningful activities. This study’s objective was to learn the characteristics of successful meaningful activities from community-based service providers who work with PWD. Six group interviews were performed with 15 unique professionals from an adult day service or community-based coordinated care program. These were supplemented by 100 hr of researcher immersion through weekly volunteering. Data were analyzed by a team, using qualitative content analysis. Participants reported successful activity content incorporated personalization; continuity and incremental challenges; and social engagement. Successful delivery of activities required managing necessary resources; involving informal (family/friend) caregivers; having a backup plan; monitoring time of day and energy levels; facilitating a domino effect; and ensuring safety. Outcomes of successful activities were experiencing fulfillment and purpose; overcoming challenges; and unexpected triggers. Research and practice recommendations include testing innovative, dynamic, and technology-enabled approaches to providing such activities.