Description
- Abstract:
- Background: Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that has significant effects on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of older adults. As the aging population grows and drug treatment becomes more expensive, there is an increasing need for effective non-pharmacologic interventions. Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is an evidence-based intervention that can improve cognition and quality of life for dementia individuals. At Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs, specifically, PACE Rhode Island, cognitive impairment is one of the most common health issues affecting participants’ quality of life. Despite strong evidence of CST benefits, it has not yet been widely implemented at PACE. Objectives: This project aims to assess perspectives from life-enrichment staff on current activity programming to develop an effective CST activity toolkit to structure these sessions. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative design to examine opinions on current recreational activities. Data were collected using interviews/surveys with life-enrichment staff and certified nursing assistants at PACE Rhode Island as well as with staff from 10 other PACE sites across the United States. The questions posed explored perceptions of activity effectiveness, engagement, and challenges to implementation. Results: The most common types of activities identified by staff were sensory stimulation (82%), music & reminiscence (73%), cognitive games (73%), arts & crafts (64%), and physical games (64%). The challenges reported in current programming included staffing and 1:1 needs, participant engagement, varying cognitive levels, environmental limits, behaviors/agitation, and language barriers. Conclusions: The combination of literature-supported CST approaches with input from staff and caregivers can support the creation of a well-informed and optimal framework for CST implementation in clinical settings. The activity toolkit developed will help to structure the commencement of CST sessions at PACE-RI. Implementing feedback surveys from participants and session facilitators will be critical in refining the design of this program.
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Citation
Samantha Fung, Trish Suess, MBA, and Megan Smith, PhD, MSW,
"Developing a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Activity Toolkit for Dementia Participants: A Qualitative Study of Life Enrichment Staff Perspectives"
(2026).
Gateways to Medicine, Health Care, and Research.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://doi.org/10.26300/3t38-8x84
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Gateways to Medicine, Health Care, and Research
The Gateways Program at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University provides academically promising, motivated students new pathways to careers in the health sciences. This collection houses scholarly works produced by Master of Science in Medical Sciences (ScM) students …...