Living the life: evidence-based design and evaluation of psychosocial interventions with people with dementia

Niedderer, Kristina ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8188-6338 and Fung, Pui Ling (2023) Living the life: evidence-based design and evaluation of psychosocial interventions with people with dementia. In: IASDR 2023: Life-Changing Design, 09 October 2023 - 13 October 2023, Milan, Italy.

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Abstract

Design is increasingly recognised as an important means to create and deliver psychosocial interventions for people living with early to mid-stage dementia to help manage impacts on cognitive and psychosocial health. Managing them is important, especially for people with a recent diagnosis, who may live 10 or more years and who want to live well. However, interventions often lack a sound evidence base, both in terms of designing as well as evaluation. This paper argues for the need to promote and further evidence-based designing and evaluation, using the example of the Living the Life mindful-reflective booklet, an evidence-based, self-administered psychosocial intervention, co-designed during the XXX project. The booklet was designed to help people with early-stage dementia to adjust to their everyday living, including relieving stress and maintaining social connections. This paper reflects on the evidence-based approach for its design and the methodology for its evaluation.