Side by Side: a workplace engagement program for people with younger onset dementia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Younger onset dementia presents unique challenges for maintaining engagement and quality of life.
• Traditional support models may not adequately address the need for meaningful activity in the workplace for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a supported workplace engagement program for individuals with mild, younger onset dementia.
• To assess the impact of workplace participation on individuals with dementia and their family carers.

Main Methods:

• The Side by Side program involved seven individuals with mild dementia working one day weekly in a hardware store.
• Participants were paired with trained 'work-buddies' (store employees) and engaged in negotiated work duties.
• Feasibility was assessed through adaptation to the workplace and reported impacts on participants and carers.

Main Results:

• All participants successfully adapted to the workplace environment, with some developing a sense of ownership over their roles.
• Family carers reported significant positive impacts on participants' self-esteem and life satisfaction.
• The program exceeded expectations in demonstrating the possibility of meaningful engagement.

Conclusions:

• Supported workplace engagement is a viable and beneficial option for people with younger onset dementia.
• The Side by Side program provides a successful framework for offering meaningful activities and improving well-being.
• This model highlights the importance of tailored support structures in facilitating community participation for individuals with dementia.