Late-stage dementia and participation in therapeutic activities

This study examined the participation and behavior of people with late-stage dementia during various therapeutic activities. Subjects were able to actively participate for 10 minutes or less 54% of the time. Caregivers were not responding to meet apparent resident needs 37.5% of the time. Active participation was significantly correlated with having more senses stimulated. In addition, as the length of resting time increased before a scheduled therapy, active participation significantly decreased. Subjects exhibited various behaviors during therapeutic activities. Behaviors were categorized as approaching and withdrawing, relaxing and tensing, mimicking, nonverbal connecting, and verbal connecting.