Impact of a simulated beach environment on adults with dementia.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A mixed methods study investigating the impact of a simulated beach environment on the wellbeing of residents at a dementia care home.
IRAS ID
280198
Contact name
Emma Perry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Gloucestershire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
The study uses mixed methods to investigate the impact of a simulated beach environment on the wellbeing of residents in a dementia care home.
This topic is being explored as dementia is a growing concern in the United Kingdom, 850,000 people are diagnosed with the condition. Providing care for people with dementia is a significant social care issue’ approximately 70% of people in care homes have dementia or severe memory problems (Alzheimer’s Society, 2020). In recent years there has been a shift in thinking in dementia care away from treating the condition to living a good quality of life.
The study involves residents who have been diagnosed with dementia and staff at a residential care home. Residents will be purposefully exposed to a simulated beach environment in situ at the care home (a conservatory has been equipped to recreate the sensory experiences of a beach). Residents will be exposed to the beach environment at one time point in the day (sundowning*) three times a week. Carers will monitor well-being (using validated measures) on each occasion pre and post exposure. This will be conducted over an eight-week period.
Subsequent to the intervention period a focus group with carers will be conducted to explore their perceptions of the impact of the simulated beach environment on resident’s well-being.
Participants will be a purposeful sample of existing residents with a diagnosis of dementia at the care home. Data will be collected by staff, measures to be used are the Observed Emotion Rating Scale, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory and the frequency of administration of PRN (as needed) medication.
*sundowning is a symptom of dementia and refers to increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
20/WA/0122
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion