DementiAbility

Overview: DementiAbility Methods is a program comprising person-centred, non-pharmacological approaches to dementia care. This program provides a framework to engage patients in meaningful activities according to their needs, interests, skills and abilities, helping to promote physical, cognitive and social stimulation.

Primary Purpose:	Health Services Research
Objectives:	Determine from a core group of unit-based stakeholders which elements of DementiAbility Methods are, in their opinion, feasible to apply within the Behavioural Health Program and how best to implement these elements systematically Identify how best to transfer the knowledge gained by the core group of unit-based stakeholders from the 2-day DementiAbility workshop to all staff on the Behavioural Health Program.
Intervention:	Over a period of one month, health care professionals, volunteers, and family members will be recruited from the Behavioural Health units at Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Peter’s Hospital to attend a two-day DementiAbility workshop. They will be recruited with the knowledge that they will later join a unit-based implementation team for an adaptation of DementiAbility Methods that would be feasible locally. Individuals will be provided with the contact information of the research team so that they may contact the team if they are interested in participating. Study participants attending the workshop will receive a reflection/feedback form to help consolidate and generate their ideas for program modification. Individuals will participate in focus groups to discuss their reflections and make suggestions about program adaptations.

Gail Elliot, BASc, MA, Author, Gerontologist & Dementia Specialist, is the Founder and CEO of DementiAbility Enterprises Inc. DementiAbility’s goal is to expose the abilities – and the potential – of each person living with dementia. Through innovative evidence-based, person-centred education, resources, tips, tools and approaches to dementia care, professionals and other care partners will know how to support the whole person in a prepared environment that aims to set each person up for success thereby helping each person to live each day with meaning, purpose, high self-esteem, independence, love, a sense of belonging and joy.

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