Unpacking the concept of person-centred care within OT in dementia care

Person-centred care (PCC), especially for frail and vulnerable elders with advanced dementia, remains in many ways an elusive concept. There appears to be a persistent strain between the medical and social models of care in... [ view full abstract ]

Person-centred care (PCC), especially for frail and vulnerable elders with advanced dementia, remains in many ways an elusive concept. There appears to be a persistent strain between the medical and social models of care in institutionalised environments that strives to provide the last homely comforts to the people living there. A scoping review was conducted to determine how PCC is reflected by occupational therapy (OT) practice.

The scoping review methodology followed guidelines by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). Eligibility criteria include peer-reviewed studies published between 1995 and 2015 focusing on OT within aged residential care with people who have moderate to severe cognitive impairment associated with dementia. Studies retrieved from the searches were first independently screened for relevance and then assessed for inclusion. Relevant data were extracted and summarised using a critical interpretive synthesis developed for this study.

Key characteristics of each study will be presented to demonstrate how the advancement of PCC is supported or inhibited.

PCC that is reflective of occupational engagement and supports natural scenarios of everyday life is paramount when providing services in someone’s last home. The diverse nature and holistic approach of OT; a history evident of pressure to conform to the medical model; and expanding into new areas of practice delivery continue to impact the day-to-day business of OT. In our efforts to contribute as professionals within institutional dementia care settings for older persons, we need to consider how we can better support and expand our services to reflect the essence of PCC.