Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: The Sustainable Personalised Interventions for Cognition, Care, and Engagement (SPICE) program was developed to address an identified gap in access to high-quality integrated post-diagnostic rehabilitation for people with dementia and their care partners in Canberra, Australia. The multicomponent intervention aims to maximise quality of life (QoL) and independence of people with dementia by increasing engagement in everyday and meaningful activities and promoting care partners' physical and mental well-being.

Method: The SPICE program is a waiting-list study design delivered by a multidisciplinary allied health team over twelve weeks.

Virtual reality after stroke: Identifying important characteristics when designing experiences to improve engagement in upper limb rehabilitation.

Objective: Virtual reality (VR) has been used to improve upper limb function after stroke but there is little to guide product developers in building experiences that engage users in the sustained, repetitive training required. This research sought to understand the characteristics of VR scenarios best suited to engaging someone with a stroke during recovery to achieve therapeutic outcomes.

Methods: Five creative immersive VR scenarios were designed by an experienced VR content creator containing unique combinations of VR characteristics.

Immersive virtual reality in the promotion of health and well-being for people in residential aged care without cognitive impairment: A scoping review.

Objective: Sustaining the health and well-being of older people living in residential aged care (RAC) requires new means of providing safe and stimulating recreational and therapeutic programs such as using virtual reality (VR). The aim of the scoping review was to investigate the utility of immersive VR interventions using head-mounted display technology to promote the health and well-being of people without cognitive impairment living in RAC.

Method: The following databases were searched from inception until January 2024: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane and CINAHL.

A pilot study of an intergenerational program for people in residential aged care with cognitive impairment and children from a co-located early learning centre during COVID-19.

Intergenerational programs in residential aged care may improve well-being and combat loneliness and social isolation in older people with cognitive impairment. This pilot study investigated the effects of a semi-structured intergenerational group, including children from a co-located early learning centre and people living in residential aged care with cognitive impairment. This 9-week study used a mixed methods pre- and post-program design.

Designing an Alternative, Community Integrated Model of Residential Aged Care for People Living with Dementia: Nominal Group Technique and Thematic Analysis.

Background: Small-scale models of dementia care are a potential solution to deinstitutionalize residential aged care and have been associated with improved resident outcomes, including quality of life and reduced hospitalizations for people living with dementia.

Objective: This study aimed to generate strategies and ideas on how homes for people living with dementia in a village setting within a suburban community, could be designed and function without external boundaries. In particular, how could residents of the village and members of the surrounding community access and engage safely and equitably so that interpersonal connections might be fostered?

Methods: Twenty-one participants provided an idea for discussion at three Nominal Group Technique workshops, including people living with dementia, carers or former carers, academics, researchers, and clinicians.