Facilitated Life Story Writing by Individuals with Dementia for Conversational Remembering Boxes - Report Series # 4

Authors

Ellen Ryan, McMaster University
Pat Spadafora, Sheridan CollegeFollow
Sarah Clark, McMaster University
Hendrika Spykerman, McMaster University
Laura Wiersma, McMaster University
Magda Lenartowicz, McMaster University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2005

Keywords

older adults, Sheridan Elder Research Centre

Abstract

The goal of this qualitative study, conducted in the summer of 2004, was to enhance the experience of personhood in individuals with dementia through the use of computermediated life story writing for conversational remembering boxes. Eight male participants with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) were paired with student researchers over the course of 4 weeks. The interviews were taped and electronically recorded on a computer, which was also used to engage the interest of the participants. The life stories were transcribed and served as a foundation for personal memory boxes that were sent home with the participants. Follow-up with caregivers at 3 and 6-month intervals indicated a good level of interest and activity with respect to the memory boxes. Computer use, which was to facilitate the interview process, was found to be a source of distraction and did not hold the participants’ interest. New software and hardware must be developed to enhance the changing abilities of people with dementia and to help maintain their personhood.

Faculty

Research Centres

School

Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC)

Terms of Use

Terms of Use for Works posted in SOURCE.

Copyright

© Sheridan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Original Publication Citation

Ryan, E., Spadafora, P., Clark, S., Spykerman, H., Wiersma, L., & Lenartowicz, M. (2005). Facilitated life story writing by individuals with dementia for conversational remembering boxes. [Report]. Oakville: Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC).

SOURCE Citation

Ryan, Ellen; Spadafora, Pat; Clark, Sarah; Spykerman, Hendrika; Wiersma, Laura; and Lenartowicz, Magda, "Facilitated Life Story Writing by Individuals with Dementia for Conversational Remembering Boxes - Report Series # 4" (2005). Publications and Scholarship. 5.
https://source.sheridancollege.ca/centres_elder_publ/5