Laura Tierney’s research while affiliated with University of Tasmania and other places

Community-based arts have the potential to offer multiple benefits to people living with dementia; however, the level of uptake of these activities is unclear. This study sought to examine the perspectives of key stakeholders: the presenting artists and those who are responsible for planning art activities within the context of community to examine opportunities for and barriers to participation of people living with dementia in community-based art activities. Inductive thematic analysis approach of Braun and Clarke (2006) was applied to identify, analyse, and report themes from the semistructured interviews with artists and art planners. Important factors to be taken into account when delivering community-based art activities inclusive of people living with dementia arose under three major themes: perceptions and knowledge of dementia, the inherently inclusive qualities of arts, and practical approaches to delivery of the activity. Both artists and art planners felt that understanding motivations and expectations, effective communication, access, and support for both themselves and people with dementia were crucial factors to create and deliver dementia inclusive arts in the context of community. Both artists and art planners believed that community-based art activities can be inclusive of people living with dementia. Changes in design, delivery mode, communication, and access to the activities might empower this group of people to take part in such activities in the community.

For people living with dementia, participatory community-based art activities have the potential to enhance the dignity of the individual, reaffirm a sense of identity, and provide social engagement. To identify opportunities to enhance the inclusion of people living with dementia in participatory community-based arts activities, this study sought the insights of people living with dementia. People living with dementia were invited to participate in semistructured group interviews to share their insights about participatory community-based arts activities. Interviews were analysed thematically to explore perceptions of benefits, opportunities, and ways to enhance participation in such activities. Participation in community arts was perceived to deliver benefits to social engagement and potentially reduce stigma through offering an education opportunity. Three key areas were identified as ways to enhance the engagement of people with dementia: knowing about the existing opportunities, accessing the activities (in terms of transport, venue proximity, timing, and wayfinding), and receiving support while attending the activity. Adequate information, easy access, a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the facilitators’ enabling approach, and a judgement-free environment are desirable features which are congruent with dementia-inclusive arts activities. Enhanced engagement of people living with dementia may reduce stigma and improve community education.

Most residential aged care facilities support residents to participate in activities and the importance of activities that are suited to individual preferences and abilities is widely acknowledged. Participating in activities, including those considered to be ‘meaningful’ has the potential to improve residents’ quality of life. However, what makes activities meaningful for people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities is unclear. The aim of this study was to understand the key characteristics of ‘meaningful activity’ in residential aged care facilities and the perceived value of residents participating in these activities. Using a qualitative study design, this study explored ‘meaningful activities’ from the perspectives of people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities, their family members and staff. Across four residential aged care facilities, residents (n = 19) and family members (n = 17) participated in individual interviews while staff (n = 15) participated in focus group interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Participant responses suggest that the meaning of an activity is subjective, varying over time and between individuals. Key characteristics of an activity that makes it meaningful include being enjoyable, social and engaging, aligning with the persons’ interests, preferences, and abilities. To be considered meaningful, activities need to do more than occupy the person. The activity needs to be linked to a personally relevant goal and an aspect of the individuals’ identity. Participating in ‘meaningful activities’ was perceived as valuable to encourage participation and socialising, provide a sense of normality for residents and improve their wellbeing. The findings of this study further our understanding of the concept of ‘meaningful activity’ for people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities. Understanding the key attributes of ‘meaningful activity’ can also provide practical guidance for those supporting people with dementia to participate in these types of activities.

Small‐scale models of dementia care are a progressive approach to improve care for people living with dementia. These models intend to provide a home‐like environment with a small number of residents in each living unit, easy access to services and facilities, a dedicated team of staff and flexible routines. This study was undertaken during the construction phase of a new village and provided a unique opportunity to explore expectations of the village among the local community. Twelve community members participated in two sequential online focus groups over a 2‐month period. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Knowledge of the village varied and was informed by familiarity with other village developments and local marketing about the new village. The findings indicate that the community expect the village to provide residents with optimum dementia care, a safe and enabling physical environment and a vibrant daily life where they are engaged in ‘normal’ activities. While participants expected the village to be self‐contained, they also anticipated strong connections with the wider community. Participants acknowledged that the community need dementia education to ensure these interactions are positive. Community expectations of a new village development for people living with dementia are largely positive and often idealistic. Organisations need to consider these expectations when developing new small‐scale facilities and be mindful of how they market these developments to foster realistic expectations. While community enthusiasm about dementia care is encouraging, education is needed to ensure the success of the model.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread impacts on the community and has demanded a rapid response from the aged care sector. System changes for infection control have been required including the use of personal protective equipment, lockdowns, visitor restrictions and changes to activities within aged care facilities. Even prior to COVID-19, the high physical and emotional demands of aged care work were recognised. Objective: This study sought to understand aged care workers’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using a pragmatic paradigm qualitative data about work experiences during COVID-19 was collected from people employed in different aged care organisations in a range of aged care roles and settings from multiple Australian states. Data was collected using focus groups and interviews conducted online between August-October 2020. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes in the data. Results: Participants included 15 people working across a range of aged care roles including clinical, care and management staff and across both residential and community settings. Five themes were identified which characterised aged care workers thoughts about their jobs during the pandemic. These included intensified procedures and emotional demands, feeling undervalued and detached from the frontline, exposure of existing system deficiencies, recognising teamwork and increased confidence in technology. Conclusion: Reflecting on aged care workers’ experiences of COVID-19 highlights the need to better support workers and acknowledge their important role in caring for older Australians. This includes at an organisational level by providing supportive environments and access to online resources as well as at the community and policy level by recognising aged care workers as frontline workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted existing systemic issues in the aged care sector that need to be addressed for the provision of quality aged care in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future. What is already known about the topic? • While the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the global community, it is disproportionately impacting the aged care sector with higher rates of severe illness and death and wide-ranging system changes to prevent and control the spread of the virus. • Prior to COVID-19, aged care work was associated with high job demands and lack of access to resources to support aged care workers in their role. • Survey data on the Australian RACF workforce found workers felt prepared for the pandemic with a wide range of measures to control the spread of COVID-19 but they faced several challenges associated with their additional roles and restrictions. What this paper adds • This paper provides qualitative and descriptive insights into the challenges experienced by the Australian aged care workforce during COVID-19 including increased workloads and intensified emotional demands of their roles while at the same time feeling undervalued by the wider community. • This study has highlighted the need to better support and acknowledge aged care workers in the community through their portrayal in the media and within their organisations by facilitating supportive team environments and providing access to online resources and training. • This paper discusses existing systemic issues that have been highlighted by COVID-19 and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and need to be addressed for the wellbeing of workers and the provision of quality aged care.

Aim: The term "meaningful activity" is widely used in policy, practice and the research literature. However, definition and use of the term is unclear and inconsistent. A concept analysis was conducted to explore the fundamental attributes that make an activity meaningful for older adults with dementia and propose a conceptual model for understanding "meaningful activity" in this population. Methods: This study followed Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis. Searches were conducted in the Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Academic Search Elite and Web of Science databases for literature using the term "meaningful activity." Papers published before 1996 were excluded. Results: Twenty-nine papers concerned with "meaningful activity" were analysed. This analysis identified five attributes that make activities meaningful for people with dementia: (a) enjoyable; (b) suited to the individual's skills, abilities and preferences; (c) related to personally relevant goals; (d) engaging; and (e) related to an aspect of identity. The conceptual model illustrates how individual and opportunity factors influence participation in "meaningful activity" and the consequences of this participation as discussed in the existing literature. Conclusion: The findings of this concept analysis provide insight into what characteristics make an activity meaningful. Specific activities that are meaningful are different for each person and participation in personally 'meaningful activities' has the potential to positively impact the lives of people with dementia. Implications for practice: This understanding of 'meaningful activity' can be used by those involved in research, planning or delivery of services and care for people with dementia to encourage and support participation in activities that are meaningful to individuals.