The relation between mood, activity, and interaction in long-term dementia care

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Dementia Care Research

Background:

• Understanding factors influencing mood in people with dementia (PwD) is crucial for improving their quality of life in long-term care settings.
• Everyday experiences, including activity engagement, location, and social interaction, significantly impact the well-being of PwD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between mood, activity engagement, activity location, and social interaction in the daily lives of PwD.
• To provide evidence-based insights for enhancing person-centred dementia care.

Main Methods:

• An observational study utilizing momentary assessments.
• 115 participants with dementia completed 84 momentary assessments each, totaling 9660 observations.
• Data collected via the tablet-based Maastricht Electronic Daily Life Observation-tool, assessing mood, activity engagement, location, and social interaction.

Main Results:

• Positive mood was observed in 73% of assessments and strongly associated with activity engagement, outdoor activities, and social interaction.
• Engagement in any activity was more influential on mood than the specific type of activity.
• Low mood was linked to unsuccessful social interactions, where attempts at engagement received no response.

Conclusions:

• Meeting the needs for occupation and social interaction is fundamental to person-centred dementia care.
• Prioritizing engagement and social connection should be a primary focus in dementia care strategies.
• These findings support the integration of meaningful activities and social support to improve mood and well-being in PwD.