"I'm a storyteller!": Exploring the benefits of TimeSlips creative expression program at a nursing home

Daniel R. George, Winona S. Houser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: TimeSlips creative storytelling program is beneficial for persons with dementia and caregivers, but no studies have qualitatively explored participant experience.

Methods: Ten residents in a skilled nursing care unit participated in 2-hour-long TimeSlips sessions per week, for 6 weeks. Semistructured interviews of participants and staff members were conducted to elicit perceptions of TimeSlips. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate qualitative data.

Results: There were specific benefits for residents (increased creativity, improved quality of life, positively altered behavior, and involvement in meaningful activity), staff members (learning new practices, developing a deeper understanding of residents, involvement in meaningful activity, and thinking creatively around programmatic challenges), and the nursing home community (nurturing relationships and improved atmosphere).

Conclusion: Involvement in TimeSlips can engender benefits for residents, staff, and nursing home communities. Future research is needed to quantitatively assess whether the benefits noted in this study can longitudinally improve quality and lower cost of long-term care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)678-684
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Volume29
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Neuroscience(all)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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