Dementia - ReAlity DISjunction in Care Homes (RADISH)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Effects of Reality Disjunction in Communication between People Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers – Care Home Study
IRAS ID
288380
Contact name
Adam Gordon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
000, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Dementia is a chronic and progressive disease prevalent among older people, which affects memory, thinking, and functionality. People living with dementia (PLWD) need for longer and more intense daily care as their condition progress because dementia affects the ability to perform everyday activities. People who have the most severe symptoms of dementia often live in care homes, where they receive close support with personal activities of daily living. Almost half of PLWD are living in care homes in the UK.
Reality disjunction is defined as two people having conflicting world experiences that they each believe to be true. This can arise because of forgetfulness and disorientation, especially in PLWD. For example, a person living with dementia may believe that she is 40 years younger, when her parents were alive, and the staff member sees the reality of the present day, where the parents of the person are deceased. Reality disjunction is a situation that can lead to communication problems, distress, and relationship problems in PLWD. It could be particularly harmful in care homes where PLWD require care from staff with whom they have very few shared life experiences. This study aims to better understand reality disjunction in communication between PLWD and their caregivers, and identify reality disjunction management strategies for caregivers in the UK care home settings.
In this study, a qualitative study design involving observation and interviews will be conducted. Communication between care home resident living with dementia and care home staff will be observed. Responses and management strategies of care home staff when there is a reality disjunction in communication will be observed. Interviews with care home staff and family members will explore the understanding and use of management strategies.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0664
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion