Perspectives on Living Well with Dementia

Abstract

To study the impact of positive psychosocial interventions on well-being in persons with dementia, new outcome measures are needed that are strengths-based and attuned to the individual heterogeneity, intrapersonal variations in day-to-day living, and the dynamic challenges of coping with a progressive neurological disease. This paper analyzes the qualitative findings from focus groups asked about the experience of living well with dementia and the priority concepts for future research measures. Human-Centered Design (HCD) was used to obtain and analyze data from multiple sources, including individual and focus group interviews, observations in the field, and related methods to enhance empathy for the lived experience of dementia. Key approaches to living well with dementia were identified that may inform interventions, supports, and services that foster well-being. The findings from this study will be used to develop new measures to promote research on processes and outcomes associated with living well with dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; focus groups; well-being.