The impact of stimulus attributes on engagement of nursing home residents with dementia

Abstract We examined the influence of stimulus attributes on the engagement of 69 nursing home residents with dementia. Specifically, we looked at work-related stimuli versus manipulative block stimuli, and whether the color, size, and material of a stimulus affect the duration and quality of engage...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 2009-07, Vol.49 (1), p.1-6
Main Authors: Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska, Dakheel-Ali, Maha, Thein, Khin, Marx, Marcia S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Caregivers
Dementia
Dementia - diagnosis
Dementia - epidemiology
Dementia in nursing home residents
Elderly people
Engagement time
Female
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Non-pharmacological intervention
Nursing Homes
Nursing Homes - statistics & numerical data
Participation
Physical Stimulation
Preferences
Stimulus
Stimulus attributes
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract We examined the influence of stimulus attributes on the engagement of 69 nursing home residents with dementia. Specifically, we looked at work-related stimuli versus manipulative block stimuli, and whether the color, size, and material of a stimulus affect the duration and quality of engagement. Engagement was assessed using the Observational Measurement of Engagement (OME). Results revealed a clear preference for the work-related rather than manipulative block stimuli. In addition, the study participants showed a significant preference for small rather than large blocks, regardless of color or material. The effect of material and color was not statistically significant. These findings may assist nursing home caregivers who wish to provide appropriate stimuli for engaging nursing home residents with dementia.
ISSN:0167-4943
1872-6976
DOI:10.1016/j.archger.2008.04.002