Occupational Therapy and Mental Disorders - Essay Example

Occupational Therapy: Doll use in care homes for people with dementia Introduction The type of therapy that encourages individuals to perform determined & persistent activities for their better physical and mental health is known as occupational therapy. Therapists and researchers have come up with diverse innovative therapies so that patients facing mental problems would get a better treatment which would eventually lead them to live a prosperous and thriving life. Utilizing different healthcare treatment techniques is the name of the game and in the years therapists have came up with unique and prestigious therapies which carry colossal importance in treatment process. Curing the patients of Dementia is a verily tough task but therapists deployed non pharmacological intervention which brought positive results. Purpose of Study The main idea and theme of this study is to determine that how patients with dementia can retrieve their memory, resolution of their distressing memories and stability in their mental health. The treatment through dolls and teddy bears brought a revolutionary change among the patients. There responsive behaviour started to change as this initiative was unique of its kind. The study also gives us a glimpse that what are the bases of change of behaviour among individuals. The induction of an entirely new methodology which reminds them of their past can be very useful and beneficial (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1093). The most important benefit which can be obtained from this study is the development of a new way of treatment for patients with dementia. Therapists, psychologists and researchers have gone through various hardships in the past so that they would come up with a favourable solution to this mental sickness. This intervention of dolls and teddy bears gave a new horizon and spectrum to the study of dementia patients. Methodology Prevailed The process of this intervention was a process where dolls and teddy bears were introduced to a certain sample of patients with dementia. In the first stage 13 patients were chosen, total population was 33. The process took for 12 weeks and the results obtained were quite promising. A total of 30 toys were introduced in the centre, 15 teddy bears and 15 dolls. All the patients were primarily given the chance to choose any toy. Women response was positive than men as 12 of them came and chose the toy, 2 men came only to pick the toy. All the patients who picked a toy were monitored by two staff members for their evaluation. Patients were given a chance to either choose doll or a teddy bear for themselves with which they can play (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1094). Staff members were asked to assess the changes in behaviours and mechanism of selected patients as they started their bonding with their respective toys. Impact sheets were there to gather scores and note the overall response. This observation was also a test for the staff as they predicted that certain patients would pick dolls and the other teddy bears (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1094). The results also proved that staff was not precisely well aware about the likes and dislikes of the patients. This procedure was however not easy, various hurdles and problems were faced during this examination. The Outcomes The outcomes of this whole process were inspiring as a positive response was seen in most of the patients. Dolls were the most loved ones from patients as it reminded of their old memories of childhood, their children and life voyages. Women patients took dolls more than men and their recovery and betterment in health was seen by the therapists. Moreover use of dolls creates a sense of bonding and attachment and can shatter away the disturbed memories. Tactical stimulation can also be prevailed through the usage of dolls. Elements of comfort, pleasure, console, relieve and calamity can be achieved by playing with dolls (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1095). Researchers believe that self satisfaction can be obtained by using them. (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1095) illustrates that the assessment procedure was also a hardcore test for the staff members too. Staff members were asked to name those individuals who they think would pick up toys. The members of staff had a great time living with the patients and they know them very well. However staff’s pre-picked patients were only 56%. Meanwhile clashes and problems also occurred due to this study as fights started to take place between the best friends among the ownership of dolls etc. Critical Evaluation The procedure of induction of dolls among the patients with dementia is good technique but it does not mean that the success rate would be very well. The results obtained from this procedure shows that there are certain serious problems with which staff and patients have to cope up with. At first patients choosing the toy to play with is a concern as the study reports that 33 was the total population and only 14 picked the toys. This means that patients are not pretty much attracted towards the toy. On the other hand it can also be seen that this scenario requires a long process and time duration eventually meaning that it is an expensive therapy. The fight on the ownership of dolls is a big issue as it leads to various destructive scenarios (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1097). Moreover patients started to believe as if dolls are their true children or companions as they tried to feed it and requested to have showers with them. Fights with other residents of the house were also a common behaviour seen in them. Their own mental health started to get better at a slower pace but other destructions during the intercourse were disturbing (James, Lorna & Elizabeth, 2006, p. 1097). Conclusion The methodology utilized for this whole process gives a clear picture that the results obtained from this therapy are not so much promising as the problems occurring during this whole setup are of serious nature. The fundamental step of patients picking up the toy and having a connection with them is the first basic thing. The study presents as if women patients are more beneficial from this study as their response towards dolls is more. Men are almost no where in the examination and evaluation of this therapy as they are not attracted by dolls or by teddy bears. Some other technique or methodology for men which would have their masculine element in it would be attractive. References Ballard, C., & Fossey, J. 2008. Clinical management of dementia, Psychiatry, 7(2), 88-93 Christiansen, C., Baum, C. M., Bass-Haugen, J., Berkeland, R., Bing, R. K., Brown, C., ... & Youngstrom, M. J. (2005). Occupational therapy: Performance, participation, and well-being. Thorofare, NJ: Slack. Fossey, J. 2008. Care homes. Excellence in dementia care: Research into practice, 336-358. Gudgeon, E., Shirley, L., & James, I. A. 2011.Types of interventions James, I. A., Mackenzie, L., & Mukaetova‐Ladinska, E. 2006, Doll use in care homes for people with dementia International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 21(11), 1093-1098 Kielhofner, G. (1992). Conceptual foundations of occupational therapy, Philadelphia: FA Davis. Read More