Abstract
Background: Empowerment is considered a promising concept in dementia care. An empowering approach encourages the
person living with dementia to be a person with individual talents and abilities. Therefore, the WINC empowerment program was
developed with the aim to reflect and act on the wishes and needs of people with dementia regarding the four themes of
empowerment: (1)retaining a sense of worth (W) (2)having a sense of personal identity (I), (3)having a sense of usefulness and
being needed (N), and (4)having a sense of choice and control (C).
Methods: The study investigated the effectiveness of and experiences with the WINC-program in community-dwelling people
with dementia (n=43 intervention; n=55 control; mean age 79 years; 60% male). A randomized controlled trial was used to
examine the effects of the 6-month WINC-program on person with dementia’s empowerment and quality of life, and family
carers quality of life and perceived competence. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate the
effects of and experiences with the program. A familiar professional caregiver supported the person with dementia-carer dyad in
using the program.
Results: Data analysis of the effects is in progress. Preliminary findings about participants’ experiences indicate that people with
dementia enjoyed the in-depth conversation about their lives and naming feelings of pride. Family carers reported that the
program enabled and enriched the conversation between them and their loved one. They gained more insight into their
experiences and things that really matters for them in life. Professional caregivers appreciated that the program enabled them
to identify the wishes and possibilities of the person with dementia. They experienced the program as a tool for getting to know
the person and embedding the themes of empowerment in their support. The key findings of the study (effects and experiences)
will be presented at the conference.
person living with dementia to be a person with individual talents and abilities. Therefore, the WINC empowerment program was
developed with the aim to reflect and act on the wishes and needs of people with dementia regarding the four themes of
empowerment: (1)retaining a sense of worth (W) (2)having a sense of personal identity (I), (3)having a sense of usefulness and
being needed (N), and (4)having a sense of choice and control (C).
Methods: The study investigated the effectiveness of and experiences with the WINC-program in community-dwelling people
with dementia (n=43 intervention; n=55 control; mean age 79 years; 60% male). A randomized controlled trial was used to
examine the effects of the 6-month WINC-program on person with dementia’s empowerment and quality of life, and family
carers quality of life and perceived competence. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate the
effects of and experiences with the program. A familiar professional caregiver supported the person with dementia-carer dyad in
using the program.
Results: Data analysis of the effects is in progress. Preliminary findings about participants’ experiences indicate that people with
dementia enjoyed the in-depth conversation about their lives and naming feelings of pride. Family carers reported that the
program enabled and enriched the conversation between them and their loved one. They gained more insight into their
experiences and things that really matters for them in life. Professional caregivers appreciated that the program enabled them
to identify the wishes and possibilities of the person with dementia. They experienced the program as a tool for getting to know
the person and embedding the themes of empowerment in their support. The key findings of the study (effects and experiences)
will be presented at the conference.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2023 |
| Event | 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference: New opportunities in dementia care, policy and research - Helsinki, Finland Duration: 16 Oct 2023 → 18 Oct 2023 Conference number: 33 https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Conferences/2023-Helsinki |
Conference
| Conference | 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Finland |
| City | Helsinki |
| Period | 16/10/23 → 18/10/23 |
| Internet address |