Can Occupation-Based Interventions for People Living with Dementia and Their Spousal Caregivers Support Positive Aspects of Caregiving? A Scoping Review

Abstract

This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics and outcomes of occupation-based interventions for people living with dementia and their spousal caregivers relating to positive aspects of caregiving. A conceptualization of positive aspects of caregiving was developed based on the existing literature encompassing three domains - quality of the caregiver/care receiver relationship, meaning of the caregiver's role in daily life, and caregiver's feeling of accomplishment. Arksey and O'Malley's guidelines were used and four databases were searched to identify studies discussing occupation-based interventions involving spousal caregivers and persons living with dementia in the community that addressed at least one of three domains of positive aspects of caregiving identified in our conceptualization. After screening 1,560 articles, 18 articles were included for analysis. Three types of interventions were identified (i.e. music therapy, reminiscence therapy and a tailored activity program) involving three components contributing to positive aspects of caregiving: socializing outside the dyad, producing tangible end products, and education for the caregiver or dyad. Findings indicate that occupation-based interventions can support positive experiences for the dyad by improving the quality of the dyadic relationship and caregivers' feelings of accomplishment.

Keywords: Dementia; occupation; occupation-based interventions; positive aspects of caregiving; spousal caregivers.