Key Considerations When Providing Physical Rehabilitation for People with Advanced Dementia

Abstract

Dementia is a growing global challenge with numbers set to increase rapidly in the coming years. Evidence suggests that exercise can be effective in improving cognitive functioning, but the evidence does not yet support improvements in other key domains such as quality of life or physical ability. The aim of this study was to explore the key components that needed to be considered when providing physical rehabilitation to people with advanced dementia. The study used a qualitative approach involving semi-structured focus groups with health care professionals who are experts in delivering interventions to people with advanced dementia. As a pragmatic study seeking to inform the development of interventions, a thematic coding approach was used to make sense of the data. We collected data from 20 healthcare professionals who reported that key considerations needed to be considered from both an assessment and an intervention perspective. The assessment needed to be person centred and, with the right people engaged and using outcome measures that were meaningful to the patient. The actual intervention also needed to follow the principles of person-centred care, with emphasis placed on the importance of taking time to build a rapport with the person, but also reducing any of the barriers that would prevent effective engagement, such as unsuitable environments. Our study suggests that while there are barriers and challenges to providing interventions and rehabilitation to people with advanced dementia, appropriate person-centred, tailored interventions can be effective and therefore should be offered.

Keywords: advanced dementia; healthcare professionals; physical interventions; qualitative; rehabilitation.