The Northern Ireland life review/life storybook project for people with dementia

Abstract

There are few interventions that help people with dementia retain or regain a sense of self. Thus, a controlled pilot study examined a life review/life storybook intervention, delivered by familiar care assistants to 30 people with dementia residing in assisted living facilities in Northern Ireland. A multivariate analysis of covariance showed significant change by group (F = 5.01, p < 0.014), particularly on depression (F = 7.54, p < 0.015), communication (F = 23.36, p < 0.005), positive mood (F = 9.47, p < 0.008), and cognition (F = 20.77, p < 0.005), suggesting a potentially promising technique to assist people with dementia.