title: Living well with dementia: enhancing dignity and quality of life, using a novel intervention, Dignity Therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of Dignity Therapy to improve the quality of life and reduce psychological and spiritual distress in older people with early stage dementia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dementia is a syndrome with several causes that leads to a progressive decline in multiple areas of functioning. The maintenance of dignity and enhancement of quality of life are key elements of care. Meaningful communication may become more difficult with condition progression. Improvements in communication may have positive effects on the person's quality of life. Dignity Therapy is a short psychotherapeutic intervention that uses a trained therapist to take the person with dementia through a guided interview process, producing a 'generativity' document that creates a lasting, written legacy during a time when they are still able to communicate well.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a feasibility mixed method study. Dignity Therapy was undertaken with patients diagnosed as having early stage dementia. Data were gathe-red from pre- and post-Dignity Therapy interviews, a focus group, interviews with key stakeholders, and three outcome measures: The Herth Hope Index; The Patient Dignity Inventory; Perceived Quality of Life/Satisfaction with Quality Life Ratings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrated that Dignity Therapy is feasible, acceptable and potentially effective for older people with dementia. Three overarching themes emerged: A life in context, A key to connect and Personal legacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that this feasibility study forms the basis for further study, advocating the prospective benefits to patients with dementia, families and nursing practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dignity Therapy, as a psychosocial intervention, has the potential to improve the quality of life and enhance person centred care for people with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: NHS Grampian and Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.affiliation: Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network, Murray Royal Hospital, Perth, UK.
authors.forename: Catriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCaw
authors.affiliation: Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network, Murray Royal Hospital, Perth, UK.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Angus Council Social Work and Health, Angus, UK.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Community Mental Health Team, NHS Tayside, Angus, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gibb
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.|University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.affiliation: Wellbeing Centre, NHS Tayside, Royal Victoria Hospital, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.affiliation: NHS Tayside Angus, Angus, UK.
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000071066:Patient Reported Outcome Measures; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D028723:Personhood; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Dementia; dignity; older people; quality of life