title: Strategies to support engagement and continuity of activity during mealtimes for families living with dementia; a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mealtimes are an essential part of living and quality of life for everyone, including persons living with dementia. A longitudinal qualitative study provided understanding of the meaning of mealtimes for persons with dementia and their family care partners. Strategies were specifically described by families to support meaningful mealtimes. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the strategies devised and used by these families living with dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken to explore the meaning and experience of mealtimes for families living with dementia over a three-year period. 27 families [older person with dementia and at least one family care partner] were originally recruited from the community of South-Western Ontario. Individual and dyad interviews were conducted each year. Digitally recorded transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Strategies were identified and categorized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strategies to support quality mealtimes were devised by families as they adapted to their evolving lives. General strategies such as living in the moment, as well as strategies specific to maintaining social engagement and continuity of mealtime activities were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to nutritional benefit, family mealtimes provide important opportunities for persons with dementia and their family care partners to socially engage and continue meaningful roles. Strategies identified by participants provide a basis for further education and support to families living with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, N2V 2 M9, Waterloo, Canada. hkeller@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Heather H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada. Lori.schindelmartin@ryerson.ca.
authors.forename: Lori Schindel
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada. sldupuis@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dupuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada. reimerholly@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, Canada. rebecca.genoe@uregina.ca.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Genoe
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology