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An Evaluation of Shared Reading Groups for Adults Living with Dementia: Preliminary Findings
Longden, Eleanor Davis, Philip Carroll, Janine Billington, Josie Kinderman, Peter
Longden, Eleanor
Davis, Philip
Carroll, Janine
Billington, Josie
Kinderman, Peter
Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
EPub Date
Publication Date
2016-06-20
Submitted Date
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Other Titles
Abstract
Purpose – Although there is a growing evidence base for the value of psychosocial and arts based
strategies for enhancing wellbeing amongst adults living with dementia, relatively little
attention has been paid to literature-based interventions. This service evaluation assesses the impact of Shared Reading (SR) groups, a programme developed and implemented by The
Reader Organisation, on quality of life for care home residents with mild/moderate dementia.
Design/methodology/approach – Thirty one individuals were recruited from four care
homes, which were randomly assigned to either reading-waiting groups (three months reading, followed by three months no reading) or waiting-reading groups (three months no reading, followed by three months reading). Quality of life was assessed by the DEMQOLProxy and psychopathological symptoms were assessed by the NPI-Q.
Findings – Compared to the waiting condition, the positive effects of SR on quality of life were demonstrated at the commencement of the reading groups and were maintained once the
activity ended. Low levels of baseline symptoms prevented analyses on whether the intervention impacted on the clinical signs of dementia.
Limitations – Limitations included the small sample and lack of control for confounding
variables.
Originality/value – The therapeutic potential of reading groups is discussed as a positive and
practical intervention for older adults living with dementia.
Citation
Longden, E., Davis, P., Carroll, J., Billington, J., & Kinderman, P. (2016). An evaluation of shared reading groups for adults living with dementia: preliminary findings. Journal of Public Mental Health, 15(2), 75-82. doi: doi:10.1108/JPMH-06-2015-0023
Publisher
Emerald
Journal
Journal of Public Mental Health
Research Unit
DOI
10.1108/JPMH-06-2015-0023
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en