Life Story Work in Dementia Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
IMPROVING CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA: DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR EVALUATION OF LIFE STORY WORK IN DEMENTIA CARE
IRAS ID
133468
Contact name
Kate Gridley
Contact email
Research summary
People with dementia sometimes need help to communicate their histories and identities, and ’life story work’ might provide a way for them to do this more easily. This is an approach where people (usually with support) record key aspects of their past and present lives, as well as future hopes and wishes, and the records they produce are used to make connections and improve care.
Life story work is growing in popularity but there have been no large-scale, rigorous studies of its use in dementia care. The aim of this study is to carry out the development and initial feasibility stages of an evaluation of life story work for people with dementia. More specifically, we will: develop a theoretical model of life story work (including its potential outcomes and elements of good practice) using data collected through focus groups and a systematic review; benchmark the current use of life story work via a national survey of carers and care providers; scope the potential effects and costs of using life story work in specialist inpatient and long-term care settings and explore the feasibility of conducting a larger scale evaluation through two small scale feasibility studies. This is a partnership project and the involvement of people with dementia and those close to them will be central to its success. A network of people with dementia and (family) carer advisers will feed into the project throughout its lifetime, ensuring research materials and strategies are fully inclusive and that the research team’s interpretations are put into context. Findings will be disseminated via a number of routes including a short film, designed and produced with the help of the people with dementia and the family carers who took part as advisers.This application for ethical approval is only for part of the second stage of the study - the survey of family carers.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
13/IEC08/0031
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion