CultureBox

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Using multisensory culture boxes to promote public health guidance and to support the wellbeing of people with dementia in care homes.

• IRAS ID

  285771

• Contact name

  Victoria Tischler

• Contact email

  victoria.tischler@uwl.ac.uk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 5 months, 29 days

• Research summary

  This study will develop and evaluate Culture Boxes that provide public health guidance and creative activities for people with dementia in care homes. The Culture Boxes will contain public health guidance specific to the COVID-19 (CV-19) pandemic for those with cognitive impairment, specifically people with dementia in care homes. Secondly, it will provide creative activities that aim to alleviate social isolation and loneliness and support wellbeing for people with dementia, especially, in the context of long-term CV-19 lockdown and restrictions.
  
  The project uses Participatory Action Research (PAR). PAR is a cyclical model that uses planning, action, evaluation and reflection. In the first phase, we will Plan by working with stakeholders: people with dementia, staff and family carers and allied professionals, including BAME representatives to co-design Culture Boxes with artists. In the second phase (Act) Culture Boxes will be delivered weekly for 3 months (then repeated, updated, for 12 months). One physical Culture Box parcel will be posted per month followed by 3 digital 'boxes' sent via email. Each will contain multisensory materials (subject to health and safety guidance) suitable for diverse populations that: provide information about CV-19 transmission and prevention, with creative resources including music and art activities that are simple to implement and offer stimulation and enrichment. The weekly delivery reinforces public health messaging and mimics regular activities in care homes. The Evaluation phase of PAR takes place at regular intervals throughout the project. In this way, we will capture holistic and context sensitive information that is used in the Reflection phase. This model of iterative evaluation to inform reflection means that the project can be adapted and will be inclusive of the perspectives of care home staff and residents. This project will therefore be responsive to the needs of those delivering and receiving dementia care in the care home sector.

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/EE/0208

• Date of REC Opinion

  16 Sep 2020

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion