Engagement in Persons with Dementia: the Concept and Its Measurement

Overview

Journal Am J Geriatr Psychiatry

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2009 Mar 25

PMID 19307858

Citations 71

Authors

Jiska Cohen-Mansfield

Maha Dakheel-Ali

Marcia S Marx

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this article is to delineate the underlying premises of the concept of engagement in persons with dementia and present a new theoretical framework of engagement.

Setting/subjects: The sample included 193 residents of seven Maryland nursing homes. All participants had a diagnosis of dementia.

Methodology: The authors describe a model of factors that affect engagement of persons with dementia. Moreover, the authors present the psychometric qualities of an assessment designed to capture the dimensions of engagement (Observational Measurement of Engagement). Finally, the authors detail plans for future research and data analyses that are currently underway.

Discussion: This article lays the foundation for a new theoretical framework concerning the mechanisms of interactions between persons with cognitive impairment and environmental stimuli. Additionally, the study examines what factors are associated with interest and negative and positive feelings in engagement.

Citing Articles

The Food Resources and Kitchen Skills intervention: Protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Pena A, Dawkins E, Adams M, Moser L, Carter A, Rivera R PLoS One. 2025; 20(2):e0314275.

PMID: 39913390 PMC: 11801624. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314275.

The Wellbeing Index for Persons with Dementia-An Observational Study Based on the Group Observational Measurement of Engagement (GOME).

Cohen-Mansfield J, Cohen R Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2024; 10:23337214241274883.

PMID: 39286399 PMC: 11403567. DOI: 10.1177/23337214241274883.

An observational study protocol to capture, validate and characterise lucid episodes in people living with advanced dementia receiving hospice care.

Gilmore-Bykovskyi A, Dillon K, Coulson A, Fehland J, Benson C, Sanson-Miles L BMJ Open. 2024; 14(5):e085897.

PMID: 38760031 PMC: 11103230. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085897.

Can Residents With Late-Stage Dementia Still Engage?.

Trudeau S, Slotnick S, Gately M Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2024; 39:15333175241228383.

PMID: 38262932 PMC: 10807356. DOI: 10.1177/15333175241228383.

Older Adults' Engagement and Mood During Robot-Assisted Group Activities in Nursing Homes: Development and Observational Pilot Study.

Tanner A, Urech A, Schulze H, Manser T JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023; 10:e48031.

PMID: 38145484 PMC: 10775040. DOI: 10.2196/48031.

References

Folstein M, Folstein S, McHugh P . "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975; 12(3):189-98. DOI: 10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6. View

Burgio L, Scilley K, Hardin J, Janosky J, Bonino P, Slater S . Studying disruptive vocalization and contextual factors in the nursing home using computer-assisted real-time observation. J Gerontol. 1994; 49(5):P230-9. DOI: 10.1093/geronj/49.5.p230. View

Goddaer J, Abraham I . Effects of relaxing music on agitation during meals among nursing home residents with severe cognitive impairment. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 1994; 8(3):150-8. DOI: 10.1016/0883-9417(94)90048-5. View

Cohen-Mansfield J, Marx M, Werner P . Observational data on time use and behavior problems in the nursing home. J Appl Gerontol. 1992; 11(1):111-21. DOI: 10.1177/073346489201100109. View

Gerdner L, Swanson E . Effects of individualized music on confused and agitated elderly patients. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 1993; 7(5):284-91. DOI: 10.1016/0883-9417(93)90006-i. View

FARBER J, Schmitt F, Logue P . Predicting intellectual level from the Mini-Mental State Examination. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1988; 36(6):509-10. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1988.tb04020.x. View

Churchill M, Safaoui J, McCabe B, Baun M . Using a therapy dog to alleviate the agitation and desocialization of people with Alzheimer's disease. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 1999; 37(4):16-22. DOI: 10.3928/0279-3695-19990401-12. View

Cacioppo J, Hughes M, Waite L, Hawkley L, Thisted R . Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Psychol Aging. 2006; 21(1):140-51. DOI: 10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140. View

Cohen-Mansfield J, Parpura-Gill A, Golander H . Utilization of self-identity roles for designing interventions for persons with dementia. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006; 61(4):P202-12. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/61.4.p202. View

10.

Sival R, Vingerhoets R, Haffmans P, Jansen P, Ton Hazelhoff J . Effect of a program of diverse activities on disturbed behavior in three severely demented patients. Int Psychogeriatr. 1998; 9(4):423-30. DOI: 10.1017/s1041610297004559. View

11.

Judge K, Camp C . Montessori-based activities for long-term care residents with advanced dementia: effects on engagement and affect. Gerontologist. 2000; 40(1):107-11. DOI: 10.1093/geront/40.1.107. View

12.

Cohen-Mansfield J, Werner P . Management of verbally disruptive behaviors in nursing home residents. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1997; 52(6):M369-77. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/52a.6.m369. View

13.

Ragneskog H, Brane G, Karlsson I, Kihlgren M . Influence of dinner music on food intake and symptoms common in dementia. Scand J Caring Sci. 1996; 10(1):11-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6712.1996.tb00304.x. View

14.

Gerdner L . Effects of individualized versus classical "relaxation" music on the frequency of agitation in elderly persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Int Psychogeriatr. 2000; 12(1):49-65. DOI: 10.1017/s1041610200006190. View

15.

Mayers K, Griffin M . The play project--use of stimulus objects with demented patients. J Gerontol Nurs. 1990; 16(1):32-7. DOI: 10.3928/0098-9134-19900101-08. View

16.

Cohen-Mansfield J . Nonpharmacologic interventions for inappropriate behaviors in dementia: a review, summary, and critique. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2001; 9(4):361-81. View

17.

Clark M, Lipe A, Bilbrey M . Use of music to decrease aggressive behaviors in people with dementia. J Gerontol Nurs. 1998; 24(7):10-7. DOI: 10.3928/0098-9134-19980701-05. View

18.

Fritz C, Farver T, Kass P, Hart L . Association with companion animals and the expression of noncognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's patients. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1995; 183(7):459-63. DOI: 10.1097/00005053-199507000-00006. View

19.

Cohen-Mansfield J, Golander H, Arnheim G . Self-identity in older persons suffering from dementia: preliminary results. Soc Sci Med. 2000; 51(3):381-94. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00471-2. View

20.

Cohen-Mansfield J, Libin A, Marx M . Nonpharmacological treatment of agitation: a controlled trial of systematic individualized intervention. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007; 62(8):908-16. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/62.8.908. View