Paulette V Hunter1, Lilian Thorpe2, Celine Hounjet3, Thomas Hadjistavropoulos4. 1. Department of Psychology, St. Thomas More College. 2. Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. 3. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. 4. Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Montessori-based interventions (MBIs) have potential to improve the life quality of long-term care residents with dementia. In this study, we aimed to understand the processes by which staff integrated a volunteer-led MBI into practice within a special dementia care unit, and to explore staff members ' perceptions of associated strengths and limitations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study relied on a qualitative descriptive design. Following a 3-month period of volunteer involvement, we conducted 21 interviews with staff members to document perceptions of the new program and subjected interview transcripts to qualitative content analysis, guided by normalization process theory. RESULTS: During the implementation of the volunteer-led MBI, staff members developed a shared understanding of the intervention, a sense of commitment, practical ways to support the intervention, and opinions about the value of the residents. Overall, we found that the volunteer-led MBI was quickly and successfully integrated into practice and was perceived to support both residents and staff members in meaningful ways. Nevertheless, some limitations were also identified. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Volunteer-delivered MBIs are a useful adjunct to practice within a special dementia care unit. This article raises attention to some strengths and limitations associated with this approach.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Montessori-based interventions (MBIs) have potential to improve the life quality of long-term care residents with dementia. In this study, we aimed to understand the processes by which staff integrated a volunteer-led MBI into practice within a special dementia care unit, and to explore staff members ' perceptions of associated strengths and limitations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study relied on a qualitative descriptive design. Following a 3-month period of volunteer involvement, we conducted 21 interviews with staff members to document perceptions of the new program and subjected interview transcripts to qualitative content analysis, guided by normalization process theory. RESULTS: During the implementation of the volunteer-led MBI, staff members developed a shared understanding of the intervention, a sense of commitment, practical ways to support the intervention, and opinions about the value of the residents. Overall, we found that the volunteer-led MBI was quickly and successfully integrated into practice and was perceived to support both residents and staff members in meaningful ways. Nevertheless, some limitations were also identified. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Volunteer-delivered MBIs are a useful adjunct to practice within a special dementia care unit. This article raises attention to some strengths and limitations associated with this approach.