Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family, Consumer, and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

Elizabeth B. Fauth

Committee

Elizabeth B. Fauth

Committee

Lori A. Roggman

Committee

Travis Dorsch

Abstract

It is estimated that the number of people in the United States living with dementia in 2015 will nearly triple by the year 2050. With no cure for dementia, we are faced with providing care in a way that maximizes well-being. The majority of prior research focused on the best ways to reduce behavioral problems and mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. The objective of this study was to increase knowledge about the social influences on well-being in persons with dementia, particularly from staff in residential memory care units. This study found that the most common interaction type from staff was “no interaction” with clients. However, we also found that when staff had neutral/no/negative interactions, clients displayed positive behavior 36% of the time, whereas when staff had positive interactions, clients displayed positive behaviors 81% of the time.

It is increasingly recognized that dementia does not leave individuals destined to live with low life satisfaction. In fact, people with dementia are capable of experiencing interest and pleasure. By learning ways in which staff may increase positive emotions in clients with dementia, results from this study may be used to train staff in memory care units and have a positive effect on the well-being of millions of people.

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