An Investigation of the Improvement of the Elderly People’s Sense of Well-being through the Program of “Retrospect Activity”: Based on the Interviews of the People with Moderate Senile Dementia in the Residential Care Home

• Main Authors: Lo, Chiu-Ming, 羅秋茗
• Other Authors: 張菀珍
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/09731965062853856648

碩士 === 國立中正大學 === 成人及繼續教育研究所 === 102 === The purpose of the present research is to understand the influence of the “Retrospect Activity” on the sense of well-being of the elderly people with moderate senile dementia, and to discuss why these elderly people’s sense of well-being can be improved by participating in the activity, through analyses of their feelings, life experiences and sentiment after their participation. The research is aimed to: (1) to understand the crucial experiences and the feelings of the elderly people with moderate senile dementia when they take part in the whole process of the “Retrospect Activity”; (2) to comprehend the elderly People’s daily interaction with others prior to and posterior to the activity; (3) to grasp the influence of the activity on the sense of well-being of the elderly people with moderate senile dementia. The present research applies qualitative research method and semi-structured interview with six elderly people with moderate senile dementia, three social workers and three family members. Having analyzed the information obtained from the interviews, the researcher concludes as follows: I. Concerning the experiences and the feelings of the elderly people with moderate senile dementia while taking part in the activity; there are two situations can be seen: (1) The elderly people are hesitating to take part in the activity due to poor health condition and low self-confidence. (2) Those who partake in the activity are significantly encouraged and willing to learn more. II. Regarding the elderly people’s daily interaction with others after partaking in the activity, three points to be noted: (1) The daily life-style has been positively changed due to their interaction with peers. (2) Their self-confidence is recovered by family members’ encouragement and concern. (3) They become joyful and are inspired by the church and community members in the process of the activity. III. As for the influence of the activity on the sense of well-being of the elderly people, there are also three things to be said: (1) They not only show obvious interest in the activity and great satisfaction of life, but also find spiritual sustenance in family members’ support. (2) They are willing to serve one another because of the respect and understanding from others, which make them feel happy and confident. (3) The elderly people gain the sense of achievement and support from the society by their earnest commitment in the activity, and in return gratefully feedback to others. Lastly, the researcher will further discuss the results of the present research, and offer some suggestions to the leaders of the retrospect activity, the authority concerned, the government, and provide information for future researchers’ reference. Keywords: elderly people, moderate senile dementia, sense of well-being, the program of retrospect activity