Evaluating a technology-based reminiscence program on engagement and affect in respite aged care : time travelling with technology

Abstract

With an aging population, there is greater focus in ensuring that aged care facilities are delivering high quality care. This is particularly important with the increase in aged related diseases, such as those that result in dementia. Previous research makes clear the value of meaningful activity, socialisation and engagement for wellbeing and quality of life for older adults. Reminiscence therapy (RT), is as well-established a non-pharmacological intervention, used to increase engagement in older adults. It actively involves stimulating conversation through discussion of past events and experiences. The theory behind RT is founded in person-centered care and meaningful activity. Person-centered care focuses on the needs of an individual and has an emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Through personal life events, autobiographical memories are recalled, which assist in creating a meaningful experience and connecting a person to their identity. Additionally, technological developments (such as sharing video/images) offer possible new methods for increased engagement in the RT approach. However, there is controversy in existing research as to the benefits of RT and there is limited understanding of the effect of RT when driven by digital technology. The aim of this thesis is to build on and refine previous research by conceptualizing and quantifying older adult engagement. It explores this through investigating the impact of an experimental framework Time Travelling with Technology (TTT) on the engagement of older adults in respite aged care. TTT is a dynamic, interactive and immersive, technology driven RT program, that enables older adults to travel to locations of their past and novel places of interest. The research objective of this thesis is to investigate the effect of technology driven group RT on older adult engagement. More specifically, the focus is primarily on characterising engagement of older adults in residential care. This will be achieved through a multi-dimensional approach to measuring behavioural markers as proxies of the concept of engagement. The dependent variables include facial movement, lexical use and prosodic patterns of speech. Potential covarying factors, such as cognitive capacity, will additionally be considered to further explain such relationships. The central research question addressed in this thesis is: To what extent does technology delivered through TTT impact the engagement of older adults in respite aged care?

Date of Award	2021
Original language	English