“Just Join Them”: Improv and Dementia Care

Candace L. Kemp; Jennifer Craft Morgan; Alexis A. Bender; Andrea M. Hill; Emerald Anglin; Elisabeth O. Burgess; Fayron Epps; Molly M. Perkins

doi:10.1177/07334648231203195

“Just Join Them”: Improv and Dementia Care

Candace L. Kemp, Jennifer Craft Morgan, Alexis A. Bender, Andrea M. Hill, Emerald Anglin, Elisabeth O. Burgess, Fayron Epps, Molly M. Perkins

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Improvisational (improv) theatre skill development holds promise for improving the dementia capability of care partners. In this report, we present analysis of data from an ongoing study on meaningful engagement and quality of life among assisted living (AL) residents with dementia. Using ethnographic methods, we collected data from persons with dementia (n = 59) and their care partners (n = 165) in six diverse AL communities each studied for one year. Building cumulatively on past work and existing literature, we demonstrate the potential benefits of training care partners to use improv skills. We discuss implications, including the need for intervention research.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	302-309
Number of pages	8
Journal	Journal of Applied Gerontology
Volume	43
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648231203195
State	Published - Mar 2024
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

caregiving
dementia
improvisational theatre skills
person-centered care
qualitative methods

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Gerontology
Geriatrics and Gerontology

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10.1177/07334648231203195

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“Just Join Them”: Improv and Dementia Care

Abstract

Keywords

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