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AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Colleen O’Brien Davis for the degree ofMaster of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies-completedJune 7, 2012. Title: The Mindful Journey: A New Vision of Psychosocial Intervention in Early Dementia
Abstract approved:______________________________________________________DebrahBokowski, Ph.D.,Thesis Advisor
Over ten million people are forecasted to be living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by the year 2030.Pharmacological treatments to prevent or even slow the progression of disease have proved elusive. Historically, psychosocial interventions have focused on the caregiver because elders afflicted with dementia were considered to have lost self-identity and the ability to learn, benefit from socialization or make plans. The results of the research indicate that the stigma which often accompanies old age and dementia can result in an elder accepting dementia as a “master identity” in which all the other complexities of character are subsumed, especially when those in the social milieu innocently “position” an elder in a particular way. This identification with impairment,in both the elder and the care partner, can lead to disability that is beyond what could be expected from the level of existing pathology. Emerging evidence suggests that psychosocial interventions that focus on the afflicted person and support self-identity and ways of coping, for example, allow elders with dementia to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives with a gentler and less distressful decline. Making difficult decisions, such as when to give up driving, can be easier within a supportive social setting of peers.
Object Description
| Rating | |
| Title | Mindful journey : a new vision of psychosocial intervention in early dementia |
| Author | Davis, Colleen O'Brien |
| Subject (LCSH) |
Dementia--Patients--Care Alzheimer's disease--Patients--Care |
| Abstract | Over ten million people are forecasted to be living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by the year 2030.Pharmacological treatments to prevent or even slow the progression of disease have proved elusive. Historically, psychosocial interventions have focused on the caregiver because elders afflicted with dementia were considered to have lost self-identity and the ability to learn, benefit from socialization or make plans. The results of the research indicate that the stigma which often accompanies old age and dementia can result in an elder accepting dementia as a “master identity” in which all the other complexities of character are subsumed, especially when those in the social milieu innocently “position” an elder in a particular way. This identification with impairment,in both the elder and the care partner, can lead to disability that is beyond what could be expected from the level of existing pathology. Emerging evidence suggests that psychosocial interventions that focus on the afflicted person and support self-identity and ways of coping, for example, allow elders with dementia to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives with a gentler and less distressful decline. Making difficult decisions, such as when to give up driving, can be easier within a supportive social setting of peers. This thesis examines several different styles of research and community based intervention groups and their subjective outcomes. It also discusses the Alzheimer Café concept which began in the Netherlands and is now spreading from England to the United States in limited numbers. A proposal is presented for making psychosocial intervention common and easily accessed through several avenues that include improving physician knowledge of nuanced geriatric concerns, providing community resources for physicians who have few treatment options, and becoming a visible presence in natural communities of elders. |
| Degree Granting Institution | Marylhurst University |
| Degree | MAIS |
| Date Degree Awarded | 2012 |
| Faculty Advisors | Bokowski, Debrah; Carter, Susan G.; Sasser, Jennifer |
| Call# | THESES 362.19683 D38 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright by Colleen O'Brien Davis |
| Digital Collection | Marylhurst Thesis |
| Format.FileType | |
| Identifier.FileName | 2012.Davis.Colleen O'Brien.pdf |
| Date created | 2012-08-01 |
| OCLC number | 802977088 |
Description
| Title | 2012.Davis.Colleen O'Brien 1 |
| Abstract | AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Colleen O’Brien Davis for the degree ofMaster of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies-completedJune 7, 2012. Title: The Mindful Journey: A New Vision of Psychosocial Intervention in Early Dementia Abstract approved:______________________________________________________DebrahBokowski, Ph.D.,Thesis Advisor Over ten million people are forecasted to be living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by the year 2030.Pharmacological treatments to prevent or even slow the progression of disease have proved elusive. Historically, psychosocial interventions have focused on the caregiver because elders afflicted with dementia were considered to have lost self-identity and the ability to learn, benefit from socialization or make plans. The results of the research indicate that the stigma which often accompanies old age and dementia can result in an elder accepting dementia as a “master identity” in which all the other complexities of character are subsumed, especially when those in the social milieu innocently “position” an elder in a particular way. This identification with impairment,in both the elder and the care partner, can lead to disability that is beyond what could be expected from the level of existing pathology. Emerging evidence suggests that psychosocial interventions that focus on the afflicted person and support self-identity and ways of coping, for example, allow elders with dementia to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives with a gentler and less distressful decline. Making difficult decisions, such as when to give up driving, can be easier within a supportive social setting of peers. |
| Digital Collection | Marylhurst Thesis |
| Date created | 2012-08-01 |
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