Abstract
There is currently a lack of published research on the effectiveness of a creative expression (CE) program known as TimeSlips (TS), which has the goal of improving quality of life and social connectedness for individuals in the mid to late stages of dementia. This study focused on measuring the impact of TS on the frequency and type of communicative exchanges and the relationship to social connectedness. A quasi-experimental design was conducted in a single long-term care facility with seven participants in the mid to late stages of dementia. A time-series analysis was used to assess change in communicative output and interactions. Positive communication changes in addition to maintained or improved quality of life were observed. Implementing a creative expression program such as TS for those in the middle to late stages of dementia improves social connectedness and communicative interactions.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Dr. Eileen Malone-Beach, Central Michigan University, for her generous gift of time and willingness to review this article. The authors also wish to thank Paula Austin, MA, CCC-SLP, and Deb Dassey, RN, Dementia Care Specialist, for their assistance in screening participants for this study and the many student volunteers within the Speech-Language Pathology program at Central Michigan University.