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Does the Well-Being of Individuals with Down Syndrome and Dementia Improve When Using Life Story Books and Rummage
Nicola Crook1,2, Malcolm Adams1, Nicola Shorten3
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Background:
This study investigated whether a personalized life story book and rummage box enhanced well-being and led to changes in behaviour for people with Down syndrome (DS) who have dementia.
Materials And Methods:
A randomized single case series design was used with five participants who had DS and a diagnosis of dementia. Participants were invited to take part in three conditions at random (i) life story book, (ii) rummage box and (iii) no-intervention condition.
Results:
The two reminiscence conditions were significantly associated with enhanced well-being as compared to the no-intervention condition. However, for one participant, the life story book was associated with significantly higher well-being, while for another participant, the rummage box was associated with significantly higher well-being, suggesting some participants may prefer one method over another.
Conclusions:
Personalized life story books and rummage boxes are associated with higher levels of well-being for people with DS and dementia.
